A new iron compound hints ‘primordial’ helium hides in Earth’s core

Scientists have discovered a new compound that incorporates helium atoms into iron crystals under extreme pressure and temperature. This finding suggests that helium from the early solar system could be stored in Earth's iron-rich core. The compound was created using a diamond anvil cell, subjecting the elements to pressures over 50,000 Earth atmospheres and temperatures above 1,000°C. This discovery may help explain observations of primordial helium in Earth's interior and could lead to new possibilities in noble gas chemistry.