A mysterious interstellar object observed by astronomers last week could potentially be the oldest comet ever discovered, according to new findings from researchers at Oxford University.

Named 3I/Atlas, the object is believed to be around three billion years older than our own solar system, placing its origin in an incredibly ancient corner of the cosmos. If confirmed, this would make 3I/Atlas not only a rare discovery, but a cosmic time capsule offering insights into the early universe.

This is only the third known object to pass through our solar system from interstellar space, following the discoveries of ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019.

The research team presented their preliminary analysis on Friday at the Royal Astronomical Society’s national meeting in Durham, UK. While much remains to be studied, early data suggest the object has characteristics consistent with those of icy, long-period comets, but with a uniquely ancient chemical signature.

Experts say this discovery could revolutionize our understanding of comet formation and interstellar travel—possibly even shedding light on how organic material is spread across galaxies.