In a stunning revelation that’s reshaping our understanding of the early solar system, scientists have identified a 4.6-billion-year-old rock fragment — making it older than Earth itself.
The ancient rock, believed to be a primordial meteorite, was discovered in a remote region of the Sahara Desert and has now been confirmed by researchers at NASA and several leading space agencies to predate the formation of our planet. Earth is estimated to be around 4.54 billion years old, making this extraterrestrial rock a rare relic from the very dawn of the solar system.
“This is a time capsule from before Earth even existed,” said Dr. Alicia Morgan, a planetary geologist with NASA. “It likely formed from the dust and gas cloud that eventually coalesced into the Sun and planets. Holding it is like holding the origin story of our solar system.”
Classified as a carbonaceous chondrite, the rock contains microscopic grains of pre-solar material, including stardust from ancient supernovae — offering a glimpse into interstellar processes billions of years ago.
The find has significant implications for astrophysics and cosmology, helping scientists better understand:
- The early building blocks of planets
- How organic compounds and water arrived on Earth
- The timeline of solar system formation
Researchers are currently analyzing isotopic signatures and organic molecules trapped inside the meteorite, which could yield clues about the origins of life itself.
This discovery is being hailed as one of the most significant meteorite finds in modern history — a cosmic messenger from a time before Earth, now offering answers to some of humanity’s oldest questions.
