Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS contains strange water never seen in our solar system
Key takeaways
- Less than a year ago, astronomers spotted a comet passing through our solar system that originated far beyond it.
- A new study led by researchers at the University of Michigan suggests the comet was born in conditions far colder than those that shaped our own solar system.
- The research was published in the journal Nature Astronomy and received support from NASA, the U.S.
Why this matters: new research or scientific developments with potential real-world impact.
Less than a year ago, astronomers spotted a comet passing through our solar system that originated far beyond it. The object, known as 3I/ATLAS, is only the third confirmed interstellar visitor ever detected, and scientists are now uncovering clues about the alien environment where it formed.
A new study led by researchers at the University of Michigan suggests the comet was born in conditions far colder than those that shaped our own solar system. The findings come from an analysis of the comet's unusual water composition, which revealed extraordinarily high levels of deuterium, a heavier form of hydrogen.
The research was published in the journal Nature Astronomy and received support from NASA, the U.S. National Science Foundation and Chile's National Research and Development Agency.