Ancient Interstellar Comet Could Predate Our Solar System by Billions of Years

WHO:

CBS News Science - Astronomers are studying the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS.

WHAT:

NASA - Astronomers used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to capture detailed measurements of the comet's chemical components after its closest pass by the Sun.

Phys.org - The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS could be nearly three times older than the solar system.

CBS News Science - The comet is described as unlike anything ever seen before in our cosmic backyard.

WHERE:

CBS News Science - The comet originated from within the Milky Way.

WHEN:

NASA - The comet 3I/ATLAS began moving away from the Sun in December 2025.

Phys.org - The comet blazed past the sun last year.

WHY:

Phys.org - The study suggests that the comet may be billions of years older than the solar system.

HOW:

CBS News Science - The exact origin of the comet within the Milky Way remains a mystery.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 20:05 UTC)

NASA has announced that the comet 3I/ATLAS began moving away from the Sun in December 2025. Astronomers utilized NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to obtain detailed measurements of the comet's chemical components following its closest approach to the Sun. This significant observation provides valuable insights into the composition of this intriguing celestial body.

--

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 18:25 UTC)

Astronomers are currently studying the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, which could be nearly three times older than our solar system. This remarkable comet, described as unlike anything ever seen before in our cosmic backyard, originated from within the Milky Way and blazed past the sun last year. While its exact origin remains a mystery, the study suggests that 3I/ATLAS may be billions of years older than the solar system itself.