Milky Way: Paper examines possible outer continents 5 billion years older than Earth

The oldest continents of our galaxy are the Milky Way, May have emerged from Earth 5 billion years ago. A new study conducted by astronomers at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom shows this. At least 29 stars and their rocky planets, known as exoplanets, were observed to reach this conclusion, and the results were surprising.

Planets orbiting stars HD 76932 and HD 201891, located 70 to 110 light-years from the solar system, may have formed continents as early as 5 billion years before Earth’s birth. Even closer, the planets of HD 4614, about 20 light-years from Earth, may have formed outer continents 2 billion years before ours.

How are continents formed?

To better understand this study, it is necessary to understand how seismic activities affect the formation of continents, because the study method used this process as the basis to reach its conclusions.

Tectonic plates are large blocks of rock that move on molten mantle surrounding a planet’s core. They are important for the formation, separation and movement of continents and form the large landmasses we know.

Analyzed research Formation of tectonic plates on exoplanets, focusing on aspects such as strength and viscosity of mantles. An innovative methodology was used to detect Earth-like exoplanets by measuring uranium-238 and potassium levels in nearby stars.

Exoplanets and life beyond Earth

Scientists believe that at least three things are necessary for life to exist on a planet: water, oxygen, and some form of protection against radiation. Of course, this is just to start the discussion.

The research, led by Jane Greaves of Cardiff University and published in the American Astronomical Society Research Notes, does not show all of these aspects, but it may be a sign that there is life in the galaxy. What’s more: If this life really exists, it may be more advanced than us..

“Given that nearby Sun-like stars have already produced some candidate hosts, the prospects for finding rocky exoplanets with continents look very promising. Further research on thorium and potassium abundances in stars, in particular, could help uncover older systems where life may have existed before Earth.” .” , completed Professor Greaves’ work.

This information could be decisive for new observations in the Milky Way. NASA is preparing an observatory for possible habitable planets (HWO) for the 2040s, and Greaves’ results will greatly contribute to this mission.

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