Astronomers date star's birth back to nearly the dawn of time

[Fresh]

Astronomers date star's birth back to nearly the dawn of time

Astronomers have used a unique process to determine that a star in our galaxy is nearly as old as the universe itself.

The star is 13.2 billion years old, while the universe dates back 13.7 billion years, according to the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO).

A group of international astronomers used the ESO's powerful VLT telescope to measure radioactive elements thorium and uranium to determine the star's age.

The technique is similar to carbon dating methods used in archaeology to measure time spans of up to a few tens of thousands of years, the ESO said. Astronomers, however, must work with much longer timescales, it said.

"Surprisingly, it is very hard to pin down the age of a star," Anna Frebel, the lead author of a paper on the results, said in a statement.

"This requires measuring very precisely the abundance of the radioactive elements thorium or uranium, a feat only the largest telescopes such as ESO's VLT can achieve," she said.

The organisation said "this star very clearly formed very early in the life of our own galaxy," which is believed to itself have formed soon after the Big Bang. The star's name is HE 1523-0901.

The group's research was published in the May 10 issue of Astrophysical Journal.

Source

Surprisingly... :wacko: supercilious IMO.

We (man) have come to this conclusion so it is fact.

[+.Vamp Subscriber²]

The star's name is HE 1523-0901.

Bah, it needs a better name. I propose we call it Heiszeogol. Thats what the numbers translate into using 1337 speak :D

And that kinda looks like 'He Is Ze Ogol'

Which is 'He Is The Ogol' with a german accent

And Mr Ogol is... http://ogol.info/

I therefore conclude that Mr Ogol is a direct descendant of star HE 1523-0901

[bdsams Veteran]

so....what went on 13.9 billion years ago....?

[MGS4-SS]

Nothing.

[TheElite]

Nothing because nothing was there? Or nothing because it was waiting to happen?

[MGS4-SS]

Nothing because nothing existed.

[TheElite]

Then *poof*, it came out of nowhere?

[bdsams Veteran]

Then *poof*, it came out of nowhere?

thats what i was thinking too, where did all this "stuff" come from before this bang happened, stuff had to be somewhere?

[MGS4-SS]

thats what i was thinking too, where did all this "stuff" come from before this bang happened, stuff had to be somewhere?

Here applies the same excuse religious people use to say why God has been ever existing.

[TheElite]

Here applies the same excuse religious people use to say why God has been ever existing.

Well, atleast they don't stay in doubt though.

[Captain_Wang]

So we should believe in something to give ourselves easy, comforting answers with no actual rhyme or reason to do so? That's fine but it's not for everyone.

Anyway, it'll be interesting to see the reason for this. Observations like this that seem implausible seem to lead to interesting discoveries like pulsars and the expanding universe, so I personally see this is an exciting thing.

[TheElite]

Easy and comforting answers with no rhyme? Ok.

When there is undeniable proof that God does not exist, or undeniable proof that this universe wasn't created by a divine being, then we'll speak.

[MGS4-SS]

Easy and comforting answers with no rhyme? Ok.

When there is undeniable proof that God does not exist, or undeniable proof that this universe wasn't created by a divine being, then we'll speak.

How about when there is undeniable proof that a God does exist? Or undeniable proof that the universe was created by a divine being?

[TheElite]

Even if I bring it, you won't believe it.

[MGS4-SS]

Even if I bring it, you won't believe it.

Because you know its deniable.

[acies]

Easy and comforting answers with no rhyme? Ok.

When there is undeniable proof that God does not exist, or undeniable proof that this universe wasn't created by a divine being, then we'll speak.

soooo.. you believe in it because you don't know otherwise?? Do you believe in bigfoot just because you can't prove he doesn't exist??

[TheElite]

Because you know its deniable.

No, my knowledge that I bring to you may not convince you, but a person who has spent his life learning it and knows how to convey it will be able to. I've met a few of these people, they seem to have unbreakable logic. If they join Neowin, I'll tell ya ;)

soooo.. you believe in it because you don't know otherwise?? Do you believe in bigfoot just because you can't prove he doesn't exist??

No, I believe in God because my mind says he exists. Why should I not believe in him? If you choose not to keep a closed mind, then you'll see the bigger picture. Theres no point being nihilistic and thinking that its all meaningless. It is laughable to think we are here on a planet, doing our things for no reason. Everything has a purpose.

[Captain_Wang]

The whole point of my nihilist thread was to show people that atheists are not so. You missed the point entirely. We are doing things for no ultimate reason, we are essentially meaningless and what appears to be a freak phenomenon. Sorry, but deal with it. Everything does not have a purpose, my nipples and mammary glands don't. My mind is absolutely not closed, in fact to realise just how insignificant in some ways we are really opens your eyes, quite the opposite of the sense of grandeur religion gives us.

I agree some things we do are laughable considering this is all we get. Try some atheist goggles on and really think about how life affirming knowing we have a finite amount of time being conscious really is.

[TheElite]

No, I didnt miss the point. If you think life is meaningless then your life is cheap, not everyone elses.

You don't think you have a purpose, then so be it. Whatever floats your boat. But dont push this opinion on everyone else.

[Captain_Wang]

You may not have missed the point but you certainly ignored the evidence that atheists are not nihilistic.

I don't force my opinion on others either. My oldest and dearest friend is Christian and we get along just great, if you don't want to read opinions don't come onto a message board.

I don't have a transcending purpose, I'd prefer to have one, but I don't. I make the most of what I've got, without the "Oh well, when I die it'll be awesome" line of thinking looming over everything I do. That isn't a chosen opinion either, that's what I can deduce from everything we as a species currently know, I don't allow myself the luxury of picking and choosing what I deem true.

[TheElite]

People who think that when they die they are going to heaven are fools. Nobody knows whats going to happen.

Respect to people who believe whatever they believe. No-one agrees all the time with everyone.

[Captain_Wang]

Kudos for that standpoint. I just think blind belief is a dated and dangerous mode of thought that leads to conflict (not always physical).

[MGS4-SS]

No, I didnt miss the point. If you think life is meaningless then your life is cheap, not everyone elses.

You don't think you have a purpose, then so be it. Whatever floats your boat. But dont push this opinion on everyone else.

Atheists think that life has a meaning (to improve for further generations, to help others, etc.). You don't have to believe in a God to be a good human being.

[TheElite]

Kudos for that standpoint. I just think blind belief is a dated and dangerous mode of thought that leads to conflict (not always physical).

You believe what you believe because of the reasons you possess.

Good stuff.

Atheists think that life has a meaning (to improve for further generations, to help others, etc.). You don't have to believe in a God to be a good human being.

Ok. Everybody has the ability to be a good person, disregarding their religious belief. Its just that people feel better about themselves when they know that if they are doing good, they're doing it for what they believe in.

[primexx]

Easy and comforting answers with no rhyme? Ok.

When there is undeniable proof that God does not exist, or undeniable proof that this universe wasn't created by a divine being, then we'll speak.

The onus of proof is on those who propose the existence of a supreme being, not the other way round.

Even if I bring it, you won't believe it.

If your alleged proof stands up to logic and reasoning then I see no reason why anyone would not believe it.

No, my knowledge that I bring to you may not convince you, but a person who has spent his life learning it and knows how to convey it will be able to. I've met a few of these people, they seem to have unbreakable logic. If they join Neowin, I'll tell ya ;)

No, I believe in God because my mind says he exists. Why should I not believe in him? If you choose not to keep a closed mind, then you'll see the bigger picture. Theres no point being nihilistic and thinking that its all meaningless. It is laughable to think we are here on a planet, doing our things for no reason. Everything has a purpose.

So you're essentially saying that only those who accept the existence of a higher being would accept the proof of said being because only when you accept the existence of the aforementioned being could the evidence in support of it make any sense.

No, I didnt miss the point. If you think life is meaningless then your life is cheap, not everyone elses.

You don't think you have a purpose, then so be it. Whatever floats your boat. But dont push this opinion on everyone else.

Cheap defined by who? You? And since when did you represent everyone else?

Atheists think that life has a meaning (to improve for further generations, to help others, etc.). You don't have to believe in a God to be a good human being.

Please dont generalize ALL atheists.