Astronomers believe they've found the oldest thing they've ever seen in the universe: It's a galaxy far, far away from a time long, long ago.

Hidden in a Hubble Space Telescope photo released earlier this year is a small smudge of light that European astronomers now calculate is a galaxy from 13.1 billion years ago. That's a time when the universe was very young, just shy of 600 million years old. That would make it the earliest and most distant galaxy seen so far.

By now the galaxy is so ancient it probably doesn't exist in its earlier form and has already merged into bigger neighbors, said Matthew Lehnert of the Paris Observatory, lead author of the study published online Wednesday in the journal Nature.

"We're looking at the universe when it was a 20th of its current age," said California Institute of Technology astronomy professor Richard Ellis, who wasn't part of the discovery team. "In human terms, we're looking at a 4-year-old boy in the life span of an adult."

While Ellis finds the basis for the study "pretty good," there have been other claims about the age of distant space objects that have not held up to scrutiny. And some experts have questions about this one. But even the skeptics praised the study as important and interesting.

The European astronomers calculated the age after 16 hours of observations from a telescope in Chile that looked at light signatures of cooling hydrogen gas.

Earlier this year, astronomers had made a general estimate of 600 to 800 million years after the Big Bang for the most distant fuzzy points of light in the Hubble photograph, which was presented at an astronomy meeting back in January.

In the new study, researchers focused on a single galaxy in their analysis of hydrogen's light signature, further pinpointing the age. Garth Illingworth of the University of California, Santa Cruz, who was the scientist behind the Hubble image, said it provides confirmation for the age using a different method, something he called amazing "for such faint objects."

The new galaxy doesn't have a name — just a series of letters and numbers. So Lehnert said he and colleagues have called it "the high red-shift blob. "Because it takes so long for the light to travel such a vast time and distance, astronomers are seeing what the galaxy looked like 13.1 billion years ago at a time when it was quite young — maybe even as young as 100 million years old — Lehnert said. It has very little of the carbon or metal that we see in more mature stars and is full of young, blue massive stars, he said.

What's most interesting to astronomers is that this finding fits with theories about when the first stars and galaxies were born. This galaxy would have formed not too soon after them.

"We're looking almost to the edge, almost within 100 million years of seeing the very first objects," Ellis said. "One hundred million years to a human seems an awful long time, but in astronomical time periods, that's nothing compared to the life of the stars."

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The latest entry into the range-extended sporty car market is the French-built Exagon Furtive-eGT, which is slated to go into limited production in 2012. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the Furtive-eGT has an electric-only range of 160 to 250 miles, while an optional gas engine can extend that range to 500 miles. Exagon says the car is capable of 0 to 62 mph acceleration of 3.5 seconds and that the car has a top speed of 178 mph. The company hopes to build about 100 cars a year when it goes into full production. Unlike most EVs that use the motors to directly drive the wheels, the Furtive-eGT uses a 3-speed paddle-shift gearbox attached to a mechanical auto-locking differential.
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This first show car from Renault’s new design director Lauren van der Acker is a 2-seat pure electric sports car called the DeZir. The capital Z in the name refers to Renault’s new ZE line of electric motors—in this case it’s a 150-hp unit that accelerates the 1800-lb. car to 62 mph in about 5 seconds. Contributing to the car’s light weight is its Kevlar body, and the sleek shape gives the car an ultra-low 0.25 coefficient of drag. The rear-drive DeZir has a range of about 100 miles between charges. The car is also equipped with a Kinetic Energy Recover System (KERS) developed by the Renault Formula 1 team that provides regenerative braking.
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This is the open-top version of the 2-seat eTron coupe shown earlier this year at Detroit. The Spyder features a cut-down windscreen and is actually a plug-in hybrid with a mid-mounted 300-bhp twin-turbo V-6 diesel to boost power and extend the vehicle’s range. Weighing just 3196 lb., the eTron has two electric motors that propel this sports car to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. In pure electric mode, the eTron has a range of about 30 miles, while the diesel enables the vehicle to travel more than 600 miles before refueling.
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To prove that we have sense of humor—and admire a healthy dose of bravery—we simply had to include the Kia Pop electric car. Okay, we’d prefer to see the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento or Jaguar C-X75 parked in our driveway. But if electric cars represent the future, let’s at least have some fun until we get there.

Whereas the upcoming Nissan Leaf EV was kept almost painfully bland—so as not to alienate everyone but the hippest of tech-loving early-adopters—the Kia Pop is anything but a shrinking violet, despite its tiny size. Yes, the chrome finish of this concept would make keeping it clean a nightmare. Yet we couldn’t help but smile at those wacky-looking side windows and doors that swing up and out.

The purple interior takes some serious getting used to. So would an estimated top speed of only 87 mph and a driving range of 100 miles. The Kia Pop EV is far from perfect and definitely risky. But isn’t that what concept cars should be all about?

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This big BMW coupe squeaked onto our list, despite some serious reservations about the “concept” part of its name. What you’re looking at is the next 6 Series coupe, plain and simple. And to be honest, we love the end result. The awkward humps and bumps of the previous generation have been smoothed over and modernized.

The rear end of the 6 Series is particularly more refined (i.e., less lumpy) than the previous model. A more aggressive front end and sharp side creases add extra attitude. It might not be a concept in the strict sense of the term, though we can’t argue that the next 6 Series is going to be a looker.

Engine choices will include BMW’s 300-bhp single-turbo inline-6 and twin-turbocharged V-8. A highly tuned version of the turbo V-8 should find its way under the hood of the next M6. Look for the 6 Series to arrive in the U.S. next year, and looking exactly like this concept version.

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We’re still scratching our heads over why Lotus decided all the cars it unveiled in Paris needed some celebrity to help pull off the dust cover. Naomi Campbell, Mickey Rourke and Stephen Baldwin looked equally confused as to what they were doing at an auto show—that is, other than collecting a hefty check for a non-speaking role.

When the strangest press conference of the day finally ended, the cars (thankfully) spoke for themselves. While it would be easy to give top marks to the Lotus Esprit Concept, we’ll go out on a limb and give the nod to the Elite. Hey, let’s face it, you expect the 2-passenger Esprit to look like a million bucks…and it does. Job well done, Lotus.

But grafting sporty lines onto a notoriously awkward 2+2 passenger layout is always difficult. Lotus balanced the extra seating and streamlined styling beautifully. The front-engine, rear-drive Elite is powered by a 620-bhp 5.0-liter V-8. An optional KERS hybrid system should also be available when the car goes on sale in 2013.

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Raw and rude, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento showcases the Italian sports car company’s use of carbon fiber. This raucously edgy sports car employs a new type of the lightweight material for its central tub called “forged composite.” Lamborghini has rights to the name and a hoard of patents related to this new material.

Rather than being layered, like traditional carbon fiber, chopped fiber is put into a stamp and (according to Lamborghini officials) the finished chassis tub is complete in only eight minutes. The entire car weighs 2200 lb. It even has carbon-fiber wheels.

A V-10 engine and permanent all-wheel-drive are borrowed from the Gallardo. In terms of overall proportions, the Sesto Elemento has more in common with the “baby Lambo” than the company’s larger, range-topping Murciélago. Lamborghini did coyly tell us it would consider building the Sesto Elemento—strictly a concept car at this writing—so long as the potential owner had deep enough pockets to foot the bill.

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We’d love the Jaguar C-X75 even if it were powered by a pair of AA batteries, it’s that good-looking. Incredibly, we overheard some naysayers at the Jaguar stand who questioned the C-X75’s design. Frankly speaking, they’d better visit an optometrist. Jaguar has gotten the shape spot-on with this mid-engine beauty.

Even better, this kitty is more than a pretty face. An electric powertrain is amped up (pun intended) by two gas micro-turbines. Hold on there George Jetson, because the spec sheet only gets better the more you read. The C-X75 has four electric motors—one in each wheel—that deliver the equivalent of 780 bhp and more than 1100 pound-feet of torque.

According to Jaguar’s estimates, the car accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds. A 68-mile electric range is boosted by the twin micro-turbines, for a total cruising range of 560 miles. Jaguar officials told us all this tech wizardry is slated for life in a laboratory, at least for several more years of testing.

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Audi reinvented the art of rally driving when the all-wheel-drive Quattro racing car arrived in 1980. Incredibly fast, but with the stability that comes from having four driven wheels, the Quattro was a star of the racing world that spawned, in 1984, the equally legendary road-going Sport Quattro. The only strange thing about the Audi Quattro Concept shown in Paris is why it took the German automaker so long to revive the famous model.

An Audi spokesperson explained that the Quattro Concept’s chassis originally began as the platform for an RS 5 coupe. However, the steel structure was replaced with lightweight aluminum, and the wheelbase shortened by 5.9 in. The chunky-looking, 2-passenger Quattro Concept is powered by a longitudinally mounted 400-horsepower 2.5-liter 5-cylinder (borrowed from the Audi TT RS).

If the Quattro makes it to production—which seems highly likely—expect it to fit between the range-topping TT and base versions of the mid-engine R8.

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Audi Quattro Concept

Audi reinvented the art of rally driving when the all-wheel-drive Quattro racing car arrived in 1980. Incredibly fast, but with the stability that comes from having four driven wheels, the Quattro was a star of the racing world that spawned, in 1984, the equally legendary road-going Sport Quattro. The only strange thing about the Audi Quattro Concept shown in Paris is why it took the German automaker so long to revive the famous model.

An Audi spokesperson explained that the Quattro Concept’s chassis originally began as the platform for an RS 5 coupe. However, the steel structure was replaced with lightweight aluminum, and the wheelbase shortened by 5.9 in. The chunky-looking, 2-passenger Quattro Concept is powered by a longitudinally mounted 400-horsepower 2.5-liter 5-cylinder (borrowed from the Audi TT RS).

If the Quattro makes it to production—which seems highly likely—expect it to fit between the range-topping TT and base versions of the mid-engine R8.

Jaguar C-X75

We’d love the Jaguar C-X75 even if it were powered by a pair of AA batteries, it’s that good-looking. Incredibly, we overheard some naysayers at the Jaguar stand who questioned the C-X75’s design. Frankly speaking, they’d better visit an optometrist. Jaguar has gotten the shape spot-on with this mid-engine beauty.

Even better, this kitty is more than a pretty face. An electric powertrain is amped up (pun intended) by two gas micro-turbines. Hold on there George Jetson, because the spec sheet only gets better the more you read. The C-X75 has four electric motors—one in each wheel—that deliver the equivalent of 780 bhp and more than 1100 pound-feet of torque.

According to Jaguar’s estimates, the car accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds. A 68-mile electric range is boosted by the twin micro-turbines, for a total cruising range of 560 miles. Jaguar officials told us all this tech wizardry is slated for life in a laboratory, at least for several more years of testing.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Raw and rude, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento showcases the Italian sports car company’s use of carbon fiber. This raucously edgy sports car employs a new type of the lightweight material for its central tub called “forged composite.” Lamborghini has rights to the name and a hoard of patents related to this new material.

Rather than being layered, like traditional carbon fiber, chopped fiber is put into a stamp and (according to Lamborghini officials) the finished chassis tub is complete in only eight minutes. The entire car weighs 2200 lb. It even has carbon-fiber wheels.

A V-10 engine and permanent all-wheel-drive are borrowed from the Gallardo. In terms of overall proportions, the Sesto Elemento has more in common with the “baby Lambo” than the company’s larger, range-topping Murciélago. Lamborghini did coyly tell us it would consider building the Sesto Elemento—strictly a concept car at this writing—so long as the potential owner had deep enough pockets to foot the bill.

Lotus Elite

We’re still scratching our heads over why Lotus decided all the cars it unveiled in Paris needed some celebrity to help pull off the dust cover. Naomi Campbell, Mickey Rourke and Stephen Baldwin looked equally confused as to what they were doing at an auto show—that is, other than collecting a hefty check for a non-speaking role.

When the strangest press conference of the day finally ended, the cars (thankfully) spoke for themselves. While it would be easy to give top marks to the Lotus Esprit Concept, we’ll go out on a limb and give the nod to the Elite. Hey, let’s face it, you expect the 2-passenger Esprit to look like a million bucks…and it does. Job well done, Lotus.

But grafting sporty lines onto a notoriously awkward 2+2 passenger layout is always difficult. Lotus balanced the extra seating and streamlined styling beautifully. The front-engine, rear-drive Elite is powered by a 620-bhp 5.0-liter V-8. An optional KERS hybrid system should also be available when the car goes on sale in 2013.

BMW 6 Series Concept

This big BMW coupe squeaked onto our list, despite some serious reservations about the “concept” part of its name. What you’re looking at is the next 6 Series coupe, plain and simple. And to be honest, we love the end result. The awkward humps and bumps of the previous generation have been smoothed over and modernized.

The rear end of the 6 Series is particularly more refined (i.e., less lumpy) than the previous model. A more aggressive front end and sharp side creases add extra attitude. It might not be a concept in the strict sense of the term, though we can’t argue that the next 6 Series is going to be a looker.

Engine choices will include BMW’s 300-bhp single-turbo inline-6 and twin-turbocharged V-8. A highly tuned version of the turbo V-8 should find its way under the hood of the next M6. Look for the 6 Series to arrive in the U.S. next year, and looking exactly like this concept version.

Kia Pop

To prove that we have sense of humor—and admire a healthy dose of bravery—we simply had to include the Kia Pop electric car. Okay, we’d prefer to see the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento or Jaguar C-X75 parked in our driveway. But if electric cars represent the future, let’s at least have some fun until we get there.

Whereas the upcoming Nissan Leaf EV was kept almost painfully bland—so as not to alienate everyone but the hippest of tech-loving early-adopters—the Kia Pop is anything but a shrinking violet, despite its tiny size. Yes, the chrome finish of this concept would make keeping it clean a nightmare. Yet we couldn’t help but smile at those wacky-looking side windows and doors that swing up and out.

The purple interior takes some serious getting used to. So would an estimated top speed of only 87 mph and a driving range of 100 miles. The Kia Pop EV is far from perfect and definitely risky. But isn’t that what concept cars should be all about?

Audi eTron Spyder Concept

This is the open-top version of the 2-seat eTron coupe shown earlier this year at Detroit. The Spyder features a cut-down windscreen and is actually a plug-in hybrid with a mid-mounted 300-bhp twin-turbo V-6 diesel to boost power and extend the vehicle’s range. Weighing just 3196 lb., the eTron has two electric motors that propel this sports car to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. In pure electric mode, the eTron has a range of about 30 miles, while the diesel enables the vehicle to travel more than 600 miles before refueling.

Renault DeZir Concept

This first show car from Renault’s new design director Lauren van der Acker is a 2-seat pure electric sports car called the DeZir. The capital Z in the name refers to Renault’s new ZE line of electric motors—in this case it’s a 150-hp unit that accelerates the 1800-lb. car to 62 mph in about 5 seconds. Contributing to the car’s light weight is its Kevlar body, and the sleek shape gives the car an ultra-low 0.25 coefficient of drag. The rear-drive DeZir has a range of about 100 miles between charges. The car is also equipped with a Kinetic Energy Recover System (KERS) developed by the Renault Formula 1 team that provides regenerative braking.

Exagon Furtive-eGT

The latest entry into the range-extended sporty car market is the French-built Exagon Furtive-eGT, which is slated to go into limited production in 2012. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the Furtive-eGT has an electric-only range of 160 to 250 miles, while an optional gas engine can extend that range to 500 miles. Exagon says the car is capable of 0 to 62 mph acceleration of 3.5 seconds and that the car has a top speed of 178 mph. The company hopes to build about 100 cars a year when it goes into full production. Unlike most EVs that use the motors to directly drive the wheels, the Furtive-eGT uses a 3-speed paddle-shift gearbox attached to a mechanical auto-locking differential.

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The new Groups will be set to "closed" by default, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained during Wednesday’s briefing (which I caught via video feed). Creating a new group is a simple matter of adding a few friends, who in turn can add their own friends to your virtual Facebook community. Don’t worry: Anyone new who gets added to the group — including the name of whoever added the person — will be announced via an info panel, and you can always bail on a given group if you choose.

What can you do in a Facebook Group once you’ve created it? Well, there’s the obvious stuff, such as posting Group-specific updates or writing on the wall or sharing photos and video.

You can also do some more interesting things, such as creating and editing group documents (like, for example, shopping lists or the evening dinner menu), or you can engage in real-time group chat, a first for Facebook (which, until now, has only allowed one-on-one chat). You can also send an e-mail to the entire group using a custom e-mail address.

And what kinds of groups could you create? Based on Wednesday’s briefing, it sounds like Zuckerberg & Co. are hoping that groups will run the gamut from, say, friends and colleagues to everyone you know who’s into football, or perhaps just a small circle of your closest friends and family (who might me more interested in what’s in your lunch bag than everyone else on your friends list).

The new Facebook Groups will begin rolling out today, Zuckerberg said, and will replace the current public Groups functionality that you could previously restrict only to a Facebook network. But existing Groups will continue to exist, as well the (little-used, apparently) Friends Lists that you can create from the left-hand navigation bar. And yes, developers will eventually get a crack at Groups, although I’d imagine that a Group could block a Facebook Platform application in the same way an individual user can.

So what we’re essentially talking about here is the same kind of virtual workspace that you might find on an office intranet — or the failed Google Wave, for that matter. Instead of collaborating on projects, though, Facebook users will be using Groups to collaborate ... well, socially.

Zuckerberg said that Groups was revamped in order to address the "biggest problem in social networking": namely, trying to organize all your various friends on Facebook into specific social groups. The current Friends Lists feature on Facebook was intended to help users create such groups, but only about 5 percent of Facebookers have actually created a friend list, Zuckerberg said.

Another option was to use an algorithm that would automatically herd your friends into groups, but such a technical solution could easily make critical mistakes (like adding the plumber that you’ve been dealing with lately — Zuckerberg’s example — to your list of closest confidants) or work entirely too well (like prioritizing a, well, secret pal you’ve been messaging on the sly).

Allowing Facebook users to create their own Groups — with new members able to add their own friends — seemed like the most appropriate solution, Zuckerberg said.

Will users take to the new feature? Hard to say. I’m happy to see that the new Groups will be set to "closed" by default, but I wonder if allowing any member of a group to invite anyone else they want might cause problems. Then again, being able to create a small, private group of Facebook pals does have some appeal, especially when you want to share a bit of trivia that could be a little too trivial for your zillion other Facebook friends.
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