Hello, young explorers! Have you ever looked up at the sky and wondered just how many stars are out there? Well, the Hubble Space Telescope was doing just that when it stumbled upon a super-duper old and faraway star! It’s so old and so far, it’s like finding your grandma’s childhood toy in an attic on another planet. Buckle up, because we’re about to dive deep into space!

The Wonderful World of Hubble

Before we get all starry-eyed, let’s travel back in time (but not too far). There’s this fabulous telescope named Hubble that’s been orbiting Earth, peeking at the universe for years. And boy, has it seen some wild stuff!

Spying on Earendel

One day, while Hubble was doing its thing (you know, space stalking), it spotted the furthest star EVER! Imagine standing at one end of an infinitely long hallway and spotting a tiny glint at the very other end. Yep, that’s what Hubble did.

This star, or maybe two stars cozied up together, is 28 billion light-years away. That’s like 28 billion years of zooming in a super-fast space car without bathroom breaks.

But here’s the twist: the star didn’t just pop up and say, “Hey, look at me!” Hubble saw it because of some friendly galaxies that acted like a giant magnifying glass. They made the star’s light super-duper bright and big. It’s like when your friend holds up a magnifying glass and makes your nose look huge. (Thanks, galaxies.)

Earendel: The Shining Star with a Cool Name

The star’s official nerd name is WHL0137-LS, but let’s be honest, “Earendel” sounds way cooler. Earendel means “rising light” or “morning star” in Old English. Kinda poetic, right? It’s like naming a kitten “Fierce Tiger.”

And guess what? This wasn’t some shooting star that vanished. Earendel’s been shining bright for a whopping 3.5 years since Hubble noticed.

The Ancient Gossip

Now, pull out your detective hats because we’ve got some spicy space gossip. Experts think Earendel is SO OLD, it might’ve been one of the first stars to pop up after the Big Bang. That’s like being the first kid in line at a candy store on opening day.

The light we see from Earendel started its journey when the universe was just a baby. And in the time it took that light to reach us, the universe has grown, and grown, and… you get the picture.

Mind. Blown.

So there you have it, kids! The universe is HUGE, full of mysteries, and every now and then, we get a glimpse of its ancient wonders. Earendel is like a time-traveling postcard, a glint of light from the universe’s baby album.

What do you think about this epic starry discovery? Is your mind as blown as ours? Share your thoughts, and who knows? Maybe one day you’ll be the one finding stars!

(Note: No magnifying glasses were harmed in the making of this discovery.)