A newly discovered interstellar object, dubbed 3I/Atlas, is generating buzz among astronomers as it may be the oldest comet ever observed, potentially predating our solar system by a staggering three billion years!

This cosmic wanderer was first detected on July 1, 2025, by the Atlas survey telescope located in Chile, when it was around 670 million kilometers from the Sun. It's only the third interstellar object identified, following the famous 1I/'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019.

Matthew Hopkins, an astronomer from the University of Oxford, expressed his excitement at the Royal Astronomical Society's national meeting in Durham. "I've spent four years in my PhD predicting such discoveries, and now we've finally found one!" he exclaimed.

3I/Atlas is not just any ordinary object; it’s estimated to be more than seven billion years old. Astronomers believe it hails from the Milky Way's "thick disk," a region filled with ancient stars that likely played a role in forming this remarkable cloud of ice and dust.

As this comet moves closer to the Sun, it's expected to warm up, creating spectacular displays of vapor and dust which might result in a breathtaking glowing tail visible from Earth.

The potential age of 3I/Atlas means it could provide unprecedented insights into the early solar system and the stellar populations of the Milky Way. According to Prof Chris Lintott, a co-author of the study, there’s a two-thirds chance that this comet has been drifting through interstellar space for billions of years.

What’s even more thrilling? Soon, amateur astronomers may also catch a glimpse of 3I/Atlas as it approaches Earth later this year, making it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness such an ancient relic.

With advancements in telescopes, like the upcoming Vera C Rubin in Chile, astronomers are gearing up for a possible surge in discoveries of interstellar objects. They expect that this powerful new telescope could reveal anywhere from five to 50 new interstellar visitors!

Every glimpse of 3I/Atlas not only excites the astronomical community but also captures our imagination, as we ponder the mysteries of the cosmos and our place within it.