August 31, 2013

Image showing the life cycle of a Sun-like star from its birth to its red giant stage (Image ESO/M. Kornmesser)

An international team led by Brazilian astronomers used ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) to identify and study a star almost identical to the Sun that, however, is much older. This star, called HIP 102152 and about 250 light years away from Earth, is giving astronomers a chance to see the possible future of the Sun but also to solve the mystery of its lithium content.