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Ancient Star Found, Estimated at 13.2 Billion Years Old

raguirre writes "An article on Physorg.org reports that a newly found star may be as old as the universe itself. Recent studies have concluded that the Big Bang occurred somewhere in the neighborhood of 13.7 Billion years ago. The star, a heavy-elements laden fossil labeled HE 1523-0901 on charts was probably born right around the same time; approximately 13.2 Billion years ago. 'Today, astronomer Anna Frebel of the the University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory and her colleagues have deduced the star's age based on the amounts of radioactive elements it contains compared to certain other "anchor" elements, specifically europium, osmium and iridium.'"

7 of 377 comments (clear)

  1. Age of the universe. by saintlupus · · Score: 5, Funny

    Of course, according to some pastors, that star is only a few thousand years old. It barely predates The Flood.

    --saint

    1. Re:Age of the universe. by goombah99 · · Score: 5, Funny

      A thousand, a billion, it still wants you off it's lawn.

      --
      Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
  2. "Right around the same time" by LBArrettAnderson · · Score: 5, Funny

    Recent studies have concluded that the Big Bang occurred somewhere in the neighborhood of 13.7 Billion years ago. The star, a heavy-elements laden fossil labeled HE 1523-0901 on charts was probably born right around the same time; approximately 13.2 Billion years ago.

    Since when was "right around the same time" the same thing as "500 million years later" ?

    1. Re:"Right around the same time" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'd like to Bang Stars for Profit as well!

    2. Re:"Right around the same time" by Paradise+Pete · · Score: 5, Funny
      Of course, who's to say that their method of dating stars isn't wrong.

      I'm not sure you've read your own sig.

  3. Aye by Mateo_LeFou · · Score: 5, Funny

    "a newly found start may be as old as the universe itself"

    Well, that's why they call it a 'start' isn't it?

    --
    My turnips listen for the soft cry of your love
  4. Re:I wonder by bitt3n · · Score: 5, Funny

    I performed your experiment and discovered the answer to the question of whether the universe will continue to expand indefinitely, or one day begin collapsing inward. I solemnly report the existence of a unimaginably horrible third alternative, one that even at this relatively minor scale caused the cat to jump three feet in the air.