Comet 3I/ATLAS Global Discovery: Ancient Interstellar Object Could Be 14 Billion Years Old, Predating the Sun; Check More Details
Comet 3I Atlas interstellar object, the third confirmed interstellar visitor to our solar system, has begun its journey back into deep space after passing 270 million kilometres from Earth in December 2025. Highly active and rich in water and carbon dioxide, it offers scientists a rare glimpse into ancient cosmic chemistry.
Mumbai, January 5: The third confirmed comet, Comet 3I Atlas Interstellar Object, ever detected in our solar system has begun its long journey back into deep space after making its closest approach to Earth last month. Discovered in July 2025, the object passed within approximately 270 million kilometres of our planet on 19 December 2025. Astronomers are now capitalising on a final window of high-visibility observations as the visitor speeds towards a scheduled encounter with Jupiter’s orbit in March 2026.
Unlike its predecessors—the enigmatic ‘Oumuamua’ and the comet-like 2I/Borisov—the Comet 3I Atlas Interstellar Object has provided an unprecedented level of data due to its high activity and a trajectory that allowed for precision tracking by spacecraft near Mars and Venus. Astronomers reveal that Comet 3I Atlas Interstellar Object could be up to 14 billion years old, possibly predating the Sun. Originating from the Milky Way’s thick disk, this ancient interstellar visitor offers a rare glimpse into the early universe. Its age and composition provide valuable insights into pre-solar system conditions.
Comet 3I Atlas Interstellar Object: A Rare Glimpse into Distant Chemistry
Recent data released in January 2026 from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has revealed that the Comet 3I Atlas Interstellar Object is highly active. During its post-perihelion phase, the comet was observed spewing water at a peak rate of 3.17 × $10^{29}$ molecules per second. Spectroscopic analysis suggests a chemical composition rich in carbon dioxide and water ice, indicating it may have formed in a much colder environment than our local solar system.
Comet 3I Atlas Interstellar Object: Scientific Debate and Technosignature Scans
While the scientific consensus classifies the Comet 3I Atlas Interstellar Object as a natural body, its unique features have sparked significant discussion. High-resolution images from the Hubble Space Telescope revealed a prominent "anti-tail" and a series of three symmetrical jets that appear to wobble every few hours.
To rule out artificial origins, the Breakthrough Listen project used the Green Bank Telescope to scan the object for radio technosignatures. On 3 January 2026, researchers confirmed that no candidate signals were detected, reinforcing the conclusion that the visitor is a natural astrophysical phenomenon.
Comet 3I Atlas Interstellar Object Trajectory and Final Milestones
The Comet 3I Atlas Interstellar Object is currently travelling on a hyperbolic trajectory at roughly 250,000 km/h. Because its path is not bound by the Sun’s gravity, it will eventually leave our solar system permanently. Key upcoming milestones include:
- 16 March 2026: Closest approach to Jupiter at a distance of 53.6 million kilometres.
- Spring 2026: The object is expected to fade beyond the reach of most ground-based telescopes.
- Year 2189: The comet will reach the inner Oort Cloud as it departs for interstellar space.
Background: A Messenger from the Thick Disk
The Comet 3I Atlas Interstellar Object is considered one of the "elders" of our cosmic neighbourhood. Orbital integration studies suggest it originated from the Milky Way’s "thick disk"—a region populated by stars significantly older than our Sun. This suggests the comet could be over 7 billion years old, offering a pristine sample of a planetary system that formed billions of years before our own.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2026 08:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).