Ancient Comet 3I/ATLAS may be the oldest comet ever discovered
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have identified 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object that may hold the key to understanding the theory about Earth's cosmic origins. This comet, named after the NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) survey telescope that discovered it, is currently 675 million km (420 million miles) away from Earth.
3I/ATLAS is only the third-known interstellar object to have been observed, following 2I/Borisov in 2019 and 'Oumuamua in 2017. What sets 3I/ATLAS apart is its estimated age of more than seven billion years, potentially making it one of the oldest known comets and possibly even older than our solar system.
Unlike its predecessors, 3I/ATLAS is traveling on a much steeper path through the Galaxy, implying it originated in a completely different region of the Milky Way. It's thought that 3I/ATLAS formed in the Milky Way's 'thick disc', a region of ancient stars that contains about 10 per cent of our Galaxy's stellar mass. If it originates from an old star in the thick disc, 3I/ATLAS is expected to be rich in water-ice.
The discovery of 3I/ATLAS has renewed interest in understanding the role of interstellar objects in the formation of our Solar System. The idea that Earth was once an interstellar wanderer was proposed by astronomers Suzanne Pfalzner and Michele Bannister following the arrival of 'Oumuamua. This theory, first published in the September 2025 issue of our website, suggests that within the disc of material around our newly born star, the interstellar object began to accrete material and grew into a substantial body, which would become the planet Earth.
As 3I/ATLAS nears the Sun, scientists will observe if it forms a glowing tail due to the heating of its surface. Astronomers hope 3I/ATLAS will provide clues about the role of interstellar objects in star and planet formation within our Galaxy. Matthew Hopkins, one of the astronomers who discovered 3I/ATLAS, woke up to messages about the discovery. Hopkins and his team developed the Ōtautahi-Oxford model to predict the properties of interstellar objects based on their orbits and possible origins.
The "romance" of the idea of Earth being an interstellar wanderer grabbed Chris Lintott's attention. Lintott, an astronomer, has expressed excitement about the potential implications of 3I/ATLAS for our understanding of cosmic origins. The arrival of 3I/ATLAS may help astronomers understand if the idea about Earth's cosmic origins holds up, shedding new light on the early days of our solar system.
In conclusion, the discovery of 3I/ATLAS marks a significant milestone in astronomy. This interstellar visitor, unlike non-interstellar comets like Halley's Comet, which formed within our Solar System and are no older than 4.5 billion years, could provide valuable insights into the role of interstellar objects in the formation of our Solar System. As scientists continue to study 3I/ATLAS, they hope to uncover more about the cosmic origins of Earth and the Milky Way.
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