The European Southern Observatory's Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) 12-meter sub-millimeter telescope is now online and providing scientists with clear views to the "Cold Universe."

New findings include the discovery of a new interstellar molecule, and the detection of light emitted from carbon monoxide molecules as well as two forms of a charged hydrogen molecules containing fluorine. The phenomenon  was discovered near the Orion nebula, one of the most active stellar nurseries in the Milky Way - and closest to our own solar system. This adds greatly to scientists' understanding of interstellar chemistry, and indicates that hydrogen fluoride is common in interstellar gas clouds.

APEX has also detected light from charged molecules of hydrogen and deuterium in several cold clouds in the southern hemisphere, as well as the first observations of atomic carbon in the "Pillars of Creation" region of the Eagle Nebula.

APEX went on to perform a sub-millimeter study of a massive hot core, of a high-mass star forming region, and a high velocity outflow coming from a young stellar object.

Studies of molecular regions in the galaxies NGC 6822 and NGC 253 were completed successfully, proving that APEX can also contribute to the exploration of objects outside the Milky Way Galaxy.

Millimeter and sub-millimeter astronomy is a field which deals with the study of the formation processes of stars and planets. The APEX telescope will allow astronomers to study the chemistry and physical conditions of molecular clouds - dense regions of gas and dust in which new stars are born.