Astronomers have calculated the age of the oldest stars

Experts note that the star belongs to the second generation of stars with a low content of heavy elements.

American astronomers decided to define a candidate for the title of oldest known star.

He was a star called HD 140283, located near the Earth at a distance of 186 light years.

According to calculations of scientists, this star is not at least 13.2 billion years, meaning it was formed shortly after the Big Bang. Initially, the astronomers calculated that the age of the star is 13.9 billion years, which exceeds the age of the Universe, however, taking into account the errors, the researchers reduced the age of an object by a few hundred million years.

Competition the star can only be a red giant HE 1523-0901, which is also estimated at 13.2 billion years. Experts note that HD 140283 is the second generation of stars with a low content of heavy elements. The lack of “metal” is such a long life expectancy of this star.

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