Interstellar Objects

A comet from beyond our solar system shows dramatically higher levels of deuterium-rich water than any object seen locally. The findings suggest it formed under much colder conditions than those in our own planetary neighborhood. Researchers used observations from two major telescopes to make the measurements.

5. desember 2025 Rapportert av AI

Astronomers have detected high levels of methanol and hydrogen cyanide in the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, marking the first such finding in an object from beyond our solar system. These carbon-rich compounds, essential for prebiotic chemistry, appear in greater quantities than in typical solar system comets. The discovery highlights differences in this third interstellar visitor's composition.