ALMA Finds High Methanol Levels in Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

CH$_3$OH and HCN in Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Mapped with the ALMA Atacama Compact Array: Distinct Outgassing Behaviors and a Remarkably High CH$_3$OH/HCN Production Rate Ratio

We report the detection of methanol (CH$_3$OH) toward interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS using the Atacama Compact Array of the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) on UT 2025 August 28, September 18 and 22, and October 1, and of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) on September 12 and 15. These observations spanned pre-perihelion heliocentric distances ($r_H$) of 2.6 -- 1.7 au. The molecules showed outgassing patterns distinct from one another, with …

NASA Says This Passing Interstellar Comet Is Loaded With Life-Forming Ingredient

The remarkable chemistry of 3I/ATLAS has now revealed a 'key ingredient of life.'

3I/ATLAS Is Releasing ‘Key’ Ingredients for Life as It Approaches Earth, NASA Says

3I/ATLAS—the mysterious interstellar object that some believed was an alien artifact, but others knew was just a comet—is still being weird.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS reveals unique chemical composition with excess methanol in space

The interstellar comes 3I/ATLAS showed a surprising chemical composition in recent analyses carried out by international astronomy teams. Observations made with high-precise radio telescopes detected an abundance of mechanical significantly higher than the average found in objects in our Solar System. This phenomenon offers a unique opportunity for scientists to investigate the formation of planets [...]

ALMA Detects Extremely Abundant Alcohol in Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS - Astrobiology

Welcome to Astrobiology.com