Answer:
My rings are not worth much, but they do tell my age. What am I?
You used to come to me for all sorts of information and knowledge before the internet was born
I direct you from outer space.
In your fire you hear me scream creaking and whining yet I am dead before you lay me in your hearth.
I am essential to life on earth! I am split into thirds. Two thirds are the same. One of the thirds is 8. The other two are 1 each.
If itβs information you seek, come and see me. If itβs pairs of letters you need, I have consecutively three. What am I?