Astronomers have discovered an ancient, ice-rich interstellar object called 3I/ATLAS, which could transform our understanding of how comets form and evolve. Detected by the University of Oxford’s research team, this mysterious object is believed to have originated far beyond our solar system, possibly more than seven billion years ago. Its immense age suggests it predates the Sun and planets, making it potentially the oldest comet ever observed. Unlike typical comets formed within our solar system, 3I/ATLAS appears to originate from the Milky Way’s thick disk, a region rich in ancient stars. Scientists say its composition and trajectory could provide vital clues about the early galaxy and the interstellar processes that shaped the formation of stars and planetary systems. The discover

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