<p>It can't. If we find a star that's "older" than the universe, then either the measurements of the star's age are incorrect, or the measurements of the universe's age are incorrect.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-09T22:55:34.647Z
2019-12-09T22:55:34.647Z
Allure
<p>How could a Star possibly be older than the Universe ? Is this possible or are the calculations off when determining the age of such Stars ? Can a Star exist that formed on its own independent of a Universe ?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-09T21:52:20.757Z
My question is a little different because I would like to know if this is even possible, for a Star to be older than the Universe ? In other words could a Star have formed that is not contained in a Universe ?
Peter U
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-09T21:57:51.047Z
We don't know of any example or physical mechanism to do so. Consider how we humans figure out the universe: By being inside the universe and learning about it from the inside only. It would be exceedingly difficult to learn about anything outside of it.
AtmosphericPrisonEscape
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-09T22:43:29.313Z
@AtmosphericPrisonEscape Excellent point that you make here
Peter U
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-09T22:50:29.137Z
"Is this possible or are the calculations off when determining the age of such Stars?" [There is no dilemma.](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/a/19448/7982)
uhoh
<star-formation>
Very Old Stars in the Universe
Peter U
# Very Old Stars in the Universe

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-12-09)

How could a Star possibly be older than the Universe ? Is this possible or are the calculations off when determining the age of such Stars ? Can a Star exist that formed on its own independent of a Universe ?

**Tags:** star-formation

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: My question is a little different because I would like to know if this is even possible, for a Star to be older than the Universe ? In other words could a Star have formed that is not contained in a Universe ?  
> **username_1**: We don't know of any example or physical mechanism to do so. Consider how we humans figure out the universe: By being inside the universe and learning about it from the inside only. It would be exceedingly difficult to learn about anything outside of it.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 Excellent point that you make here  
> **username_2**: "Is this possible or are the calculations off when determining the age of such Stars?" [There is no dilemma.](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/a/19448/7982)  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-12-09. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

It can't. If we find a star that's "older" than the universe, then either the measurements of the star's age are incorrect, or the measurements of the universe's age are incorrect.


---

