Date: October 16, 2025
By: Planet Report Hub News Desk
In a fascinating revelation that’s igniting curiosity across the scientific world, renowned physicist Professor Brian Cox has described the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS as “one of the most remarkable cosmic visitors ever observed.” According to Cox, the mysterious object has been traveling through the galaxy for over 7.5 billion years, carrying valuable clues about the origins of our universe.
🌌 What is 3I/ATLAS?
3I/ATLAS — the third known interstellar object detected passing through our solar system — was first identified by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) observatory in 2025. It follows the earlier discoveries of ‘Oumuamua (1I/2017 U1) and Comet 2I/Borisov (2019).
Unlike typical asteroids or comets formed within our solar system, 3I/ATLAS originated beyond the Sun’s gravitational influence, making it an interstellar traveler from another star system.
🪐 Prof Brian Cox on Its Origins
During a BBC interview, Prof Cox explained that 3I/ATLAS likely formed in a young star system billions of years ago, before being ejected by gravitational forces during the early stages of planetary formation.
“Imagine the chaos of a newborn solar system,” Cox said. “Planets forming, gravity pulling, and then — like cosmic billiards — some objects get flung out into interstellar space. 3I/ATLAS is one of those survivors.”
He added that the object’s composition and trajectory suggest it has been wandering between stars long before our own solar system even existed.
🌠 A Journey Spanning 7.5 Billion Years
Astronomers estimate that 3I/ATLAS has been traveling for at least 7.5 billion years, predating the formation of Earth itself. This extraordinary journey makes it older than most known planets in the Milky Way.
“Each interstellar object like this is a messenger from another world — a physical record of how other planetary systems evolved,” Cox explained.
🔭 What Makes It Different from ‘Oumuamua?
While ‘Oumuamua sparked debate for its strange shape and acceleration, 3I/ATLAS appears to be more comet-like, with a faint tail and volatile materials evaporating under sunlight.
However, its trajectory and chemical fingerprint differ significantly from any known solar system comet, reaffirming its alien origin.
NASA and ESA researchers are now analyzing data from Hubble and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to understand its molecular structure.
🌌 What Scientists Hope to Learn
Studying 3I/ATLAS could help scientists uncover:
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How planetary systems form and evolve outside our solar system.
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Whether organic molecules — the building blocks of life — exist in distant star systems.
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How interstellar debris contributes to cosmic evolution and panspermia theories (the spread of life via space dust).
Prof Cox noted that 3I/ATLAS might even contain carbon-based compounds, similar to those found in early Earth meteorites.
🧭 Could Future Missions Reach 3I/ATLAS?
Space agencies are discussing the possibility of rapid-response missions to intercept future interstellar visitors. However, 3I/ATLAS is already moving too fast — at over 90,000 miles per hour — for current spacecraft to catch up.
The European Space Agency’s “Comet Interceptor” mission, planned for 2029, could be the first to attempt direct observation of such interstellar travelers.
🌠 The Bigger Picture
As Prof Cox summarized:
“Every object like 3I/ATLAS reminds us how interconnected the cosmos truly is. We are part of a galactic story billions of years in the making.”
The discovery continues to inspire astronomers, showing that the universe still holds countless secrets waiting to be explored.
FAQs about Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS
1. What is 3I/ATLAS?
3I/ATLAS is the third interstellar object ever detected passing through our solar system. It was discovered in 2025 by the ATLAS observatory and is believed to have originated outside our solar system billions of years ago.
2. Why is 3I/ATLAS considered interstellar?
It’s considered interstellar because its trajectory and velocity show that it doesn’t orbit the Sun and came from beyond our solar system, making it a true visitor from another star system.
3. How old is interstellar object 3I/ATLAS?
Scientists estimate 3I/ATLAS to be around 7.5 billion years old, meaning it predates the formation of Earth and our solar system.
4. Who is Professor Brian Cox, and what did he say about 3I/ATLAS?
Professor Brian Cox, a British physicist and science communicator, called 3I/ATLAS “one of the most remarkable cosmic visitors ever observed.” He explained that it likely formed in a young star system and was ejected into interstellar space during planetary formation.
5. How does 3I/ATLAS differ from ‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov?
Unlike ‘Oumuamua, which had an unusual shape and non-gravitational acceleration, 3I/ATLAS appears more comet-like with a faint tail. Its composition and chemical signature are also different, indicating a distinct origin.
6. Can we send a spacecraft to study 3I/ATLAS?
Unfortunately, no. 3I/ATLAS is traveling at over 90,000 miles per hour, making it impossible for current spacecraft to intercept. Future missions like ESA’s Comet Interceptor (2029) may be able to study similar interstellar objects.
7. Why is studying 3I/ATLAS important?
Studying 3I/ATLAS helps scientists understand how other planetary systems form, whether organic molecules exist elsewhere, and how materials travel between stars, possibly spreading the building blocks of life.
8. How can astronomers observe 3I/ATLAS?
Astronomers are observing 3I/ATLAS using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to analyze its composition and structure in detail.
9. What could 3I/ATLAS tell us about the origins of life?
If 3I/ATLAS contains carbon-based compounds, it could support theories like panspermia, which suggest that life’s building blocks may have been transported between planets via interstellar dust and comets.
10. Will more interstellar objects visit our solar system?
Yes. Astronomers believe that interstellar visitors like 3I/ATLAS pass through our solar system regularly, though most go undetected. With improved telescopes and AI-powered sky surveys, more discoveries are expected in the coming years.