Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Reveals Methane as It Exits Solar System
Interstellar Comet Reveals Methane on its Journey through our Solar System
California Institute Of Technology
Image: California Institute Of Technology
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the third detected object from outside our solar system, is exiting after a close approach to the Sun. Researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope discovered that it began emitting methane as it warmed, revealing insights into its unique composition and origin.
- 013I/ATLAS is the third interstellar object detected, now exiting the solar system.
- 02The comet is over a kilometer wide and consists of dust and ices from its origin system.
- 03James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) analysis shows increasing methane emissions as it warmed.
- 04The study provides insights into the chemical composition of this unique planetesimal.
- 05The research team includes members from Caltech, Space Telescope Science Institute, and other institutions.
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Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is currently leaving our solar system after a close encounter with the Sun in October 2025, traveling past the orbit of Jupiter. This comet, measuring over a kilometer in width, is composed of dust and ices from its original planetary system. Researchers from Caltech utilized the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to analyze the comet's mid-infrared signatures, revealing its unique chemical composition. Notably, as 3I/ATLAS warmed while approaching the Sun, it began to emit methane, indicating that it had shed its ancient outer surface and exposed its inner icy layers. This finding is significant as it provides a glimpse into the conditions of its formation. The research is documented in a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, with further observations planned for spring as the comet continues to move away from the Sun. The study includes contributions from several institutions, highlighting the collaborative effort to understand this fascinating interstellar object.
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