HE 1523-0901 is a beautiful star that was discovered in 2007. It’s immensely old, about 13.2 billion years, which means it is almost as old as the universe itself. Scientists determined its age by examining the elements it contains, such as uranium and thorium. By measuring the amounts of these elements left in the star, they can estimate how long it has been around. This star serves as a time capsule, offering insights about how stars and galaxies formed when the universe was still very young. Studying stars like HE 1523-0901 helps researchers understand what the universe was like shortly after the Big Bang.
Image credit: Wikimedia commons via ESO
