New Evidence: Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Older Than Earth

A new study suggests that the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is older than Earth, based on changes to its surface due to cosmic radiation.

Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope showed large amounts of carbon dioxide, likely resulting from the conversion of carbon monoxide due to cosmic ray bombardment.

The analysis indicates that cosmic radiation has altered the comet's surface to a depth of 15-20 meters, making its composition unrepresentative of its original formation environment.

Researchers suggest that the original composition will only be revealed if the outer layers are vaporized by solar radiation. 3I/ATLAS reached perihelion last week.

According to a previous study, 3I/ATLAS is likely over 7.6 billion years old, making it much older than the Solar System.

3I/ATLAS is the fastest interstellar object recorded, moving at 60 km/second. It is the third interstellar object observed passing through the Solar System.