Astrophysicists confirm universe age of 13.8 bln years

New results from the Hubble Space Telescope suggest the formation of the first stars and galaxies in the early universe took place sooner than previously thought. This artist's impression presents the early universe. (ESA/Hubble, M. Kornmesser and NASA)

NEW YORK, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The age of the universe is around 13.8 billion years, an international team of astrophysicists has said in a study published Wednesday.

Scientists from 41 institutions in seven countries studied the oldest light in the universe, according to a statement from the U.S.' Stony Brook University.

By using observations from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope in Chile, the latest findings match measurements from Planck satellite data of the same ancient light, the statement added.

"In Stony Brook-led work we are restoring the 'baby photo' of the universe to its original condition, eliminating the wear and tear of time and space that distorted the image," Neelima Sehgal, a co-author of the study and associate professor at Stony Brook University, said.

"Only by seeing this sharper baby photo or image of the universe can we more fully understand how our universe was born," she added. ■