Ancient Continents in the Milky Way Predate Earth by 5 Billion Years

The oldest continents in the Milky Way may have formed up to 5 billion years before Earth's, suggesting the possibility of more advanced alien life in our galaxy. Astrobiologists believe that certain features, such as oxygen, radiation shielding, and liquid water, are necessary for supporting life. The presence of continents is not strictly required, but they are important for the long-term existence and thriving of life. By studying nearby stars and their radioactive elements, researchers estimate that some exoplanets may have had continents and potentially advanced life forms billions of years before Earth. This finding has implications for the search for habitable planets and the potential discovery of extraterrestrial life.