First detected on July 1, 2025, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile, 3I/ATLAS has captured the imagination of both scientists and the public for its interstellar origins and unique composition. Researchers say that analyzing this comet is akin to peering into the distant past of the Universe, offering insights into materials formed around other stars millions of years ago.
From Another Stellar System: 3I/ATLAS’ Remarkable Journey
Unlike most comets that originate within our solar system, 3I/ATLAS comes from beyond, making it the third confirmed interstellar object after the famous ‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov. CITIC researcher Xabier Pérez Couto explained that the team successfully reconstructed the comet’s trajectory over 10 million years, effectively “rewinding galactic time” to track its long voyage across the Milky Way, as per a report by Union Rayo.
“The comet was not born in our solar system, but much farther away,” said Pérez Couto. “Each interstellar comet is like an open window to the past of the Universe. It allows us to analyse materials formed around other stars, under conditions very different from those of the Sun. It is a unique opportunity.”
Despite its cosmic origin, scientists assure that 3I/ATLAS will not come closer than 270 million kilometers to Earth, allowing safe observation from Earth-based telescopes.
Gaia Mission Provides Stellar Roadmap
To trace the comet’s origins, the Spanish team relied heavily on data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission, which has created the most precise map of the Milky Way to date. Gaia measures the position, motion, and brightness of billions of stars, enabling astronomers to reconstruct trajectories of objects that have traveled across the galaxy.
Using these data, CITIC researchers determined how 3I/ATLAS journeyed from its birthplace in a distant stellar system to a brief passage through our solar system. According to Pérez Couto, this method allows scientists to study the conditions in other parts of the galaxy as if looking through a temporal telescope.
3I/ATLAS: A Frozen Time Capsule
Comets are often described as relics of the early solar system, composed of ice, dust, and organic compounds. Interstellar comets like 3I/ATLAS, however, offer an even rarer glimpse into the primordial material from which planets formed around other stars.
“Studying 3I/ATLAS is like examining the DNA of other solar systems,” said Pérez Couto. “It provides clues about how worlds form, the appearance of essential minerals, and the early development of organic compounds—key ingredients for life.”
The comet’s composition preserves chemical traces of primitive space, challenging existing theories about solar system formation and interstellar material evolution. This makes 3I/ATLAS an invaluable subject for future research in planetary science and astrobiology.
Spain Leading in International Astronomy
The CITIC team is now at the forefront of global astronomical research, using sophisticated numerical models and simulations to track objects that cannot be observed directly. “What we do is literally rewind time,” said a team member. “Every time we do it, we uncover new stories about how the Universe works.”
Their work demonstrates that Spain is now a key player in the international astronomy community, contributing critical insights into the study of interstellar visitors like 3i atlas.
Looking Beyond the Sun
European scientists, including those affiliated with the ESA, have emphasized the importance of interstellar objects for the coming years. These comets and asteroids act as messengers from other star systems, carrying with them chemical signatures that can shed light on processes occurring far beyond the Sun.
Once 3I/ATLAS passes through our solar system, it will continue its journey across the galaxy. Nevertheless, its brief visit offers a historic opportunity to study extraterrestrial material and learn more about the formation of planets, organic molecules, and the broader cosmic environment.
“Every interstellar object we detect is a small step for human knowledge, but a giant leap in understanding our Universe,” Pérez Couto said.
FAQs
What is 3I/ATLAS?
3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet first detected on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS system in Chile. It originates from outside the solar system and is the third confirmed interstellar object, after ‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov.
Why is 3I/ATLAS considered a cosmic time capsule?
The comet preserves chemical traces of primitive space and materials formed around other stars, providing insights into the formation of planets and organic compounds in other stellar systems.
