Peebles' Paradox

Peebles' Paradox highlights the apparent contradiction in the ages of stars and the universe. Observations show that individual stars can be billions of years old, yet some methods suggest the universe itself is only a few billion years old. This discrepancy arises because initial estimates of cosmic age relied on certain assumptions about star formation and expansion rates. Modern measurements, such as those from cosmic microwave background data, indicate the universe’s age is about 13.8 billion years, resolving the paradox. Essentially, it underscores the importance of accurate measurements and models in understanding cosmic history.