Science Alert: Seven-billion-year-old stardust is the oldest stuff on Earth

The microscopic grains of dead stars are the oldest known material on the planet — older than the moon, Earth and the solar system itself. A new study dated the grains, from a meteorite that exploded above Australia in 1969, and found that the most ancient are 2.5 billion years older than Earth and about half as old as the universe.

Democracy Dies in Darkness     Science Alert Jan 13, 3:01 PM     Seven-billion-year-old stardust is the oldest stuff on Earth The microscopic grains of dead stars are the oldest known material on the planet — older than the moon, Earth and the solar system itself. A new study dated the grains, from a meteorite that exploded above Australia in 1969, and found that the most ancient are 2.5 billion years older than Earth and about half as old as the universe. Read more » Advertisement You received this email because you signed up for news alerts from The Washington Post. Manage my newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Help ©2020 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071