We have a mysterious visitor to our little patch of the cosmos this week: A comet called 3I/ATLAS. 

This icy, rocky ball is only the third interstellar object we've discovered zooming past our Sun. 

There are scientists who think the comet may be alien technology sent from another solar system to invade Earth, but space agencies poured cold water on this idea. 

So how will we know if we truly find evidence of extraterrestrial life? 

You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science journalist and presenter Belinda Smith on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.

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Featuring:

• Laura Driessen, radio astronomer at the University of Sydney 

Astronomers discover 3I/ATLAS — third interstellar object to visit our Solar System

This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Menang Noongar people.