Rocky planets like Earth may have formed just 100 million years after the Big Bang. That is the finding of new computer simulations by Matt Whalen at the University of Portsmouth. The results were published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. The first stars exploded as supernovae in the early universe. Their debris contained the heavy elements needed for rocky planets. The simulations show planets several times Earth’s mass could form quickly around the first stars. Some may even have had water. Until now, many scientists thought rocky planets needed billions of years to appear. The work suggests the building blocks of life were available very early. It also means habitable worlds could be far older than thought. The findings push back the possible start of planet formation. Until now, many scientists thought rocky planets needed billions of years to appear. The work suggests life’s building blocks were available very early. Habitable worlds could be far older than thought. The findings push back the start of planet formation.