3I/ATLAS's Coma Is Largely Carbon Dioxide

3I/ATLAS's Coma Is Largely Carbon Dioxide

All (or at least most) astronomical eyes are on 3I/ATLAS, our most recent interstellar visitor that was discovered in early July. Given its relatively short observational window in our solar system, and especially its impending perihelion in October, a lot of observational power has been directed towards it. That includes the most powerful space telescope of them all - and a recent paper pre-printed on arXiv describes what the James Webb Space T…

Interstellar 3I/Atlas Has Nickel Without Iron and Other Chemical Makeup that is Unlike Natural Objects in the Solar System

The Very Large Telescope (VLT) detected significant nickel vapor but almost no iron in the interstellar 3I/Atlas comet. Having nickel without iron is not a chemical signature found in known natural comets and is more consistent with industrial alloy refining processes. Nickel Without Iron and Carbon Dioxide Without water Astronomers using the VLT observed emission ...

3I/ATLAS High Carbon Dioxide and Low Water Content: What It Might Reveal

As the third-ever-confirmed interstellar object 3I/ATLAS races deeper into our solar system at high speeds, researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope have revealed surprising results regarding its composition.Recent observations of the interstellar comet known as 3I/ATLAS reveals its size to be about half of original estimates--a mere 3.5 miles (5.6 km) across. This still makes it the largest of the three observed interstellar objects.On …