Overview

• Scientists studying the M67 star cluster have identified a 'plateau' phase in giant stars where oscillation frequencies temporarily stall, marking a breakthrough in stellar age estimation.
• The research, published in *Nature*, utilized data from the Kepler K2 mission to analyze the oscillation frequencies of 27 stars in the cluster, which share a common origin and chemical composition.
• The findings challenge long-held assumptions about resonant frequencies in giant stars, revealing new insights into their internal structures and evolutionary stages.
• This discovery has implications for understanding the history and evolution of the Milky Way and provides a framework for revisiting existing astronomical data to uncover overlooked frequency signatures.
• The study also offers insights into the future of the Sun, as its characteristics align with stars in the M67 cluster, enhancing models of stellar and galactic evolution.