Comet 3I/ATLAS may be 7 billion years old, scientists say
Technology
A comet called 3I/ATLAS, spotted in July 2025, might actually be older than our solar system. Scientists think it's about seven billion years old.
Its path through space hints that it came from a distant part of the Milky Way filled with ancient stars.
Comet offers rare Milky Way glimpse
3I/ATLAS carries material from when it first formed, giving researchers a rare look at what our galaxy was like long before the sun existed.
Even though the comet is already heading out of the solar system, scientists say the data we've collected will help us understand how the Milky Way evolved over time and learn more about the chemistry of ancient stellar systems.