A gas-giant planet almost as old as the Universe itself. (1 Viewer)

[Jack Briggs]

Frustrations with space-program setbacks aside, these really are exciting times. Astronomers have discovered an apparent gas-giant planet that's more than 12 billion years old, orbiting a dying star/neutron star combination (in, of all places, a globular cluster).

Talk about arousing one's sense of wonder:

old, old planet

 

[Lew Crippen]

I can always depend on you for this kind of information Jack. Thanks—it is awesome (in the fundamental sense of the word).

 

[DaveGTP]

I love space related posts, Jack. Thanks! Were you the one that posted that one about alternate realities a while back? That article was mind-bogglingly kewl.

 

[Peter Kline]

Yes, Jack always seem to find large gas pockets somewhere.

 

[Dana Fillhart]

Also mentioned in this past week's New Scientist, a star in our own cosmic backyard (a few ten thousand light-years away) was found to have formed only a few hundred million (perhaps as early as 200 million) years after the big bang. Pretty damned impressive thing, too -- very little to no heavy-element traces at all.

Wow, to think of objects that are still active today that've been around since near the dawn of our Universe's genesis.

Goodness, I love astronomy!

 

[Steven K]

Jack... this just in...

First Feline Found on Gas Giant just as NASA's budget is being slashed!