3I/ATLAS may be the oldest comet ever seen in 7 billion years, carrying secrets from before the solar system began

Astronomers have identified 3I/ATLAS, an ancient, ice-rich interstellar comet potentially older than our solar system. Discovered by the University of Oxford, its origin in the Milky Way's thick disk offers a unique glimpse into early galactic processes. Scientists anticipate studying its composition as it nears the Sun, providing vital clues about the formation of stars and planetary systems.