We've watched it speed through the solar system using the most powerful telescopes in human history. We've studied its light with probes whipping around the sun and robots marooned on Mars. Countless eyes watched it make its closest approach to Earth on ...

Astronomers have spotted something unusual in a comet passing through our Solar System. 3I/ATLAS, only the third confirmed interstellar visitor ever s.

The comet formed in a cold and distant part of the early Milky Way up to 12 billion years ago, putting it just under 2 billion years the age of the universe.

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS is the gift that keeps on giving. A snapshot of the space that lies beyond the solar system, it brings clues to other stars, other worlds and the galaxy we call home. Just three such interstellar objects have ever been discovered, and by studying each one, we learn more about what’s outside our cosmic neighborhood.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has steadily been making its exit ever since it had a rendezvous at the end of October with the sun.

The comet contains higher levels of this simple alcohol than almost all known comets from our solar system.

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American In an earlier blog post about Christopher Nolan’s latest blockbuster movie, Interstellar, I ...

NASA's most distant spacecraft had a critical thruster problem far from home. Fixing it required a long-distance call to overcome extreme cold and dwindling power. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s ...

Astronomers using ALMA have found large quantities of methanol in comet 3I/ATLAS, making it one of the most alcohol-rich comets ever detected. Scientists are gaining more insights in this case, as methanol is not found in space.

An international team of scientists has examined dust grains gathered by the NASA Stardust spacecraft and brought back to Earth – and has discovered that they originated in the interstellar dust stream. With the help of citizen scientists, the research ...

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is leaving our solar system. See new photos from a European Space Agency orbiter on its way to Jupiter.