3I/ATLAS is Unusually Rich in Methanol, ALMA Observations Show

Mar 9, 2026 - 15:45
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3I/ATLAS is Unusually Rich in Methanol, ALMA Observations Show
An artist’s impression of 3I/ATLAS is shown as it passes near the Sun, illuminating one side of the comet; on the side of the comet closer to the Sun, the methanol gas is shown in blue, with icy dust grains still present in the gas; on the dark side of the comet, the hydrogen cyanide is shown in orange. Image credit: NSF / AUI / NRAO / M.Weiss.

Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have detected hydrogen cyanide (nitrogen-bearing organic molecule commonly seen in comets) as well as unusually high levels of methanol (organic molecule tied to prebiotic chemistry) in the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS.

The post 3I/ATLAS is Unusually Rich in Methanol, ALMA Observations Show appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.

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