Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Reveals Methanol Treasure: A 'Drunken' Visitor from Another Solar System
Loading more articles...
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: A Methanol-Rich 'Drunkard' from Another Solar System
N
News18•10-03-2026, 15:58
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: A Methanol-Rich 'Drunkard' from Another Solar System
•Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered in July 2025, is unusually rich in methanol and hydrogen cyanide, as revealed by ALMA telescope research.
•The comet exhibits a methanol to hydrogen cyanide ratio of 70-120, significantly higher than any comet in our solar system, indicating unique origin conditions.
•Methanol is released from both the nucleus and coma, with 'mini-comets' in the coma actively releasing large amounts as it nears the Sun.
•3I/ATLAS is the third confirmed interstellar object in our solar system, following 'Oumuamua' and 'Borisov'.
•Its complex chemistry, including methanol and carbon dioxide, offers vital clues about the formation and environment of distant solar systems.
