Mind-blowing 10billion-year-old ‘Super Earth’ that is one of galaxy’s oldest planets discovered
A ROCKY "Super-Earth" planet has been spotted orbiting one of the Milky Way galaxy's oldest stars.
Astronomers in Hawaii say the distant world is one and a half times the size of Earth, but takes just half the time to orbit its star.
That's due to the close proximity between the two, which also makes the planet extremely hot at its surface.
In a study published this week, scientists estimate that the newly found planet, which orbits the star TOI-561, is an astonishing 10billion years old.
That's more than twice as old as the Solar System, and nearly as ancient as the Universe itself.
"The rocky planet orbiting TOI-561 is one of the oldest rocky planets yet discovered," said study lead author Dr Lauren Weiss.
In other space news, a huge asteroid that's following Mars's orbit could be our Moon's 'long-lost twin'.
There was once a NINTH planet in our Solar System – but it got flung out into deep space.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
And, a moon of Saturn may have the ideal conditions to support alien life, evidence suggests.
What do you make of the ancient planet? Let us know in the comments!
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at tech@the-sun.co.uk