The very first star to have formed in the Universe, often referred to as Population III star, is not believed to exist anymore. These stars are thought to have formed shortly after the Big Bang, when the Universe was young and composed mostly of hydrogen and helium. They were massive and short-lived, with some estimates suggesting they had masses hundreds of times greater than our Sun.
The first stars were crucial in the evolution of the Universe because their formation and subsequent explosive deaths, as supernovae, seeded the cosmos with heavier elements beyond hydrogen and helium. These elements were necessary for the formation of subsequent generations of stars, including stars like our Sun.
Since these Population III stars are theorized to have formed more than 13 billion years ago, it is unlikely that any of them have survived until the present day. Over time, they would have exhausted their nuclear fuel and either exploded as supernovae or collapsed into black holes.
Although we don't have direct observational evidence of the very first stars, astronomers have been searching for indirect clues. They have been studying ancient, metal-poor stars in our own galaxy, such as extremely metal-poor halo stars, which could provide insights into the chemical composition and characteristics of the first stars. Additionally, the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), set to launch in late 2021, is expected to further our understanding of the early Universe and the formation of the first stars.
While we cannot directly observe or identify the specific first star, ongoing research and observational advancements continue to enhance our knowledge of the early Universe and the processes that shaped the cosmos.