More Hubble discoveries

Kansas City Star: Scientists have found a planet almost as old as the universe. The surprising discovery is one more triumph for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
Astronomers used data the Hubble collected to determine that a planet 12.7 billion years old exists in what's called a globular cluster (a big batch of stars, basically) 5,600 light-years from earth. The discovery is challenging widely accepted theories about planet formation.
Scientists had thought the first generation of planets in the cosmos could not have formed until much later in the life of the universe because it would take that long to form some of the heavier elements necessary. The new discovery, however, shows planets could -- and at least one did -- form much earlier.
Really old
In recent years, astronomers have found 108 planets outside our solar system, though this is the first one anywhere close to this old. Some scientists believe it shows that life could have existed on distant planets billions of years ago.
Since the National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched the Hubble 13 years ago, it has scored monumental achievements -- especially after a flawed optic system was repaired in 1993.
Last year astronauts on a space shuttle mission renovated the Hubble and installed new equipment to extend its life. Finding what's being called the "Methuselah planet" is evidence of how well the Hubble continues to work.