An new image of 3I/ATLAS has been released taken by the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii , new information suggests the comet is Billions of year old and came from an ancient part of our Galaxy , it likely pre-dates our Solar System.
![[Image: uto3uX5SXrRqHReVCcY3Rf-970-80.jpg.webp]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uto3uX5SXrRqHReVCcY3Rf-970-80.jpg.webp)
Quote:Interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS are remnants from distant star systems that have been ejected into space. They offer valuable insights into the building blocks of other planetary systems in the universe — including the chemical elements that were present when and where they formed, according to the statement.
3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object detected visiting our solar system, after 1I'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. While more objects of this nature are believed to regularly pass through our solar system, they are incredibly difficult to capture.
However, at an estimated 12 miles (20 km) in diameter, 3I/ATLAS is much larger than previous interstellar objects, making it a better target for study. The new images from the Gemini North telescope show that the comet has a compact coma — the cloud of gas and dust enveloping its icy core. And other observations have suggested that it may be the oldest comet ever discovered (possibly older than our solar system), hailing from the outer thick disk of the Milky Way.
https://www.space.com/astronomy/comets/t...tem-photos