Scientists discover potentially universe's oldest star
An international team of scientists led by a PhD student from the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra has discovered what could be the oldest star in the universe.
The star known as HE 13 27 was first seen by researchers in Chile.
Data was also collected using Japan's telescope in Hawaii.
It was then discovered by student Anna Febel at the ANU amongst a sample of about 1,800 other stars.
Ms Febel says while she cannot determine its exact age, it was most likely formed shortly after the universe 13-billion-years ago.
"HE 13 27 provides crucial observational evidence of the very first stages in the universe and as you can imagine these stars must be very old and therefore they're quite rare," she said.
Ms Febel says it is an important discovery because it provides evidence of the time when the first stars were formed.
"We can't really place an actual number of the age of the star because we would need radioactive elements in that star to actually measure the age, but since it has such a primitive composition you can definitely say it's one of the oldest objects of the universe," she said.
Last Update: Thursday, April 14, 2005. 7:42am (AEST)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/20 ... 344811.htm
