Published • loading... • Updated
Interstellar Comet that Zoomed Past Earth Could Be Oldest and Coldest Object Ever Seen in Solar System, Astronomers Say
JWST measurements of hydrogen and carbon isotopes suggest the comet formed in a very cold region and may predate the Sun by billions of years.
- On Monday, June 22, 2026, researchers announced in the journal Nature that interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS could be up to 12 billion years old, positioning it as one of the oldest objects observed by modern telescopes.
- Analysis of chemical isotopes detected by the James Webb Space Telescope and ALMA observatory reveals an elemental composition unlike any solar system body, indicating the comet formed in a deeply frozen, primordial environment.
- Lead study author Martin Cordiner of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center said the comet could be a "relic" from "cosmic noon" 10 billion years ago, an age far exceeding our 4.5 billion-year-old Solar System.
- The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute found "no evidence of extraterrestrial technology" on the comet; as 3I/ATLAS exits the heliosphere around 2035, future observations will become increasingly difficult.
- Astronomers expect to spot more interstellar objects in coming years via the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile; Cordiner concluded, "This is just the beginning of an exciting new field.
Insights by Ground AI
19 Articles
19 Articles
Interstellar comet likely far older than Solar System: astronomers
PARIS, France — An interstellar comet that blazed past the Sun last year could be nearly three times older than our Solar System and is unlike anything ever before seen in our cosmic backyard, astronomers said Monday.
·Manila, Philippines (the)
Read Full Article
Third known interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS may be billions of years older than the solar system, study finds
An interstellar comet that blazed past the sun last year could be nearly three times older than our solar system and is unlike anything ever seen before in our cosmic backyard, astronomers said Monday.
·United Kingdom
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left2Leaning Right4Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Center
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources are Center
54% Center
15%
C 54%
R 31%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
