Ancient Star's Age Determined Through Innovative Cosmic Analysis

An international team of astronomers, including experts from Keele University, has achieved a significant milestone in astrophysics by accurately determining the age of an ancient red giant star, located in the binary star system KIC 10001167. The findings, published in the journal *Astronomy & Astrophysics* on July 9, 2025, reveal that two independent methods of measuring the star's mass yield remarkably consistent results, enhancing our understanding of the Milky Way's history.

The research team, led by Ph.D. student Jeppe Sinkbæk Thomsen from the Università di Bologna, utilized two distinct approaches: asteroseismology, which analyzes the star's pulsations, and orbital dynamics, which studies the movements of an object orbiting the star. Their results indicated that the pulsational and orbital masses of the red giant agree within 1.4%, allowing for an age determination with an accuracy of 10%. This level of precision is unprecedented and could revolutionize how astronomers study old stars across the galaxy.

Dr. John Southworth, a senior lecturer in astrophysics at Keele University and co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of this research, stating, "Science is our description of reality, and astrophysics provides our description of the universe. Checking different methods against each other to confirm that they agree is vital for our understanding of stars, the universe they are in, and the planets they host."

The implications of this research extend far beyond a single star. As the mass of a star is crucial for determining its age, the validation of asteroseismology as an accurate method for dating ancient stars could provide astronomers with a powerful tool for reconstructing the formation and evolution of the Milky Way over billions of years.

The study's findings also underscore the significance of binary-star systems in astrophysical research. Binary orbits offer a reliable framework for assessing stellar masses, which can be cross-verified with other methods. This confirmation bolsters the reliability of previous studies and the broader understanding of stellar evolution.

This research builds upon decades of advancements in astrophysics. Historically, the methods for measuring stellar masses have evolved from mere observational techniques to complex models that incorporate gravitational theories first posited by Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton in the 17th century. The current study marks a pivotal advancement, as it is one of the first instances where a mass derived from a star's pulsations correlates closely with one calculated through orbital dynamics.

Dr. Pierre Maxted, another researcher involved in the project, noted, "This agreement between two independent methods enhances our confidence in the results and paves the way for further studies of ancient stars. Our goal is to analyze thousands of such stars, thereby piecing together the history of our galaxy."

As the field of astrophysics continues to evolve, the implications of such findings are broad, influencing not only our understanding of the Milky Way but also the methods by which we study the universe. The research team anticipates that the techniques developed will facilitate future explorations of stellar populations, enhancing our understanding of cosmic history and the fundamental processes that govern star formation and evolution.

In conclusion, this pioneering research not only sheds light on the age of an ancient star but also provides a robust framework for future studies in astrophysics. The methodologies validated through this investigation could significantly expand our knowledge of the universe, offering insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and potentially the planets orbiting them.