SMRTR Science & EngineeringJul 11, 2025Interesting Engineering

7 billion-year-old mysterious comet is the oldest known guest in our solar system

SMRTR summary

A 7 billion-year-old comet, 3I/ATLAS, discovered by Oxford researchers, may predate our solar system. This water-rich comet is the third known interstellar object detected here and the first from a different Milky Way region. Originating from the galaxy's thick disk of ancient stars, it could reshape understanding of interstellar objects. The comet may be visible to amateur astronomers by late 2025, with more such objects expected to be detected in coming years.

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