Astronomers Find Stars 7 Billion Light Years Away

StArSkY writes "The Age has an article about an international team of astronomers that has discovered 14 galaxies, opening up a new era of 'galaxy hunting'. Using an infrared instrument in Chile (the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope ) — the researchers have been able to look through the glare of 20 Quasar's to identify previously obscured galaxies. 'Light from the newly found galaxies comes from the time the universe was about 6 billion years old, less than half its current age. By studying the light, the researchers have determined they are starburst galaxies that form lots of new stars -- the equivalent of 20 suns a year. Dr Murphy, who began working on the project while a research fellow at the University of Cambridge, described the results as a great leap forward. The findings have been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. '"

In a distant galaxy, far far away....

[9Nails]

Hmmm, is this far enough?

Defining Distance with Time

[Nymz]

If we are seeing them 7 billion light years away, and we are 4.5 billion light years old, that means they won't see us coming for another 2.5 billion years. Oh the poor bastards.

Quasars vs quasar's

[Anonymous Coward]

Come on, Zonk, learn how to use an apostrophe.

Re:Defining Distance with Time

[drawfour]

I'm sure that Bush and Cheney have already started making plans. :)

Re:Defining Distance with Time

[Nymz]

They're actually hiding in front of quasars

They sure are bold, I've never seen a hiding strategy quite like that before, we should name it the QuantumTheologian Defense in you honor.

Re:Title is misleading

[Sosarian]

I was going to moderate this comment, and then said to myself...how do you rate a strange analogy?

Let's Go There!

[Jane Q. Public]

We start tomorrow.

I have only done this once before, so you will be responsible for bringing your own guns and supplies.

Re:Is this farther?

[mrjb]

a distant galaxy, far far away... Score: 1, Redundant- That labeling seems accurate.

Old News.

[Chapter80]

This is old news. These stars were around 7 Billion years ago.

Re:Let's Go There!

[Carbon016]

I hope safety is guaranteed...

Re:Let's Go There!

[GospelHead821]

I bet that my brother dies fording the river on the way to the spaceport and that we lose at least two oxen by the time we get past Alpha Centauri.

Impossible

[hey0you0guy]

We all know the universe was created 4,000 years ago. There is no way these stars are 7 billion years old.

Re:Old News.

[maroberts]

This is old news. These stars were around 7 Billion years ago.

It's not old news, unless you can prove it by linking to the dupe story on Slashdot from 7 billion years ago.

Re:First post

[multipartmixed]

Yeah, and I suppose you can make the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs!