Trending Now - Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Contains High Levels of Methanol

WHO:

Nathan Roth, lead author and assistant professor at American University

NASA scientists and an international team of researchers

National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO)

WHAT:

3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet discovered in July 2025 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System.

The comet is reported to contain unusually high levels of methanol, exceeding almost all known comets in the solar system.

The methanol-to-hydrogen cyanide ratio of 3I/ATLAS is among the highest of any comets ever studied.

The comet's coma was analyzed using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) between August and October 2025.

Methanol was found to be emanating from both the comet’s core and coma.

WHERE:

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is located in Chile.

3I/ATLAS passed through the inner solar system and is expected to have a close encounter with Jupiter.

WHEN:

3I/ATLAS made its closest pass of the Sun in the fall of 2025.

The observations were conducted between August and October 2025.

WHY:

The study of 3I/ATLAS provides insights into the chemical conditions of other planetary systems, which may differ from those in our solar system.

HOW:

Researchers used ALMA to analyze the comet's chemical composition by observing the gas released as it approached the Sun.

The comet's coma formed as sunlight warmed its icy surface, releasing gas and dust.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 05:23 UTC)

A team of researchers, including Nathan Roth from American University and scientists from NASA and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, have made significant discoveries about the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, which was first identified in July 2025. Their analysis, conducted using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in Chile, revealed that this comet contains exceptionally high levels of methanol, with a methanol-to-hydrogen cyanide ratio that ranks among the highest ever recorded. As 3I/ATLAS passed through the inner solar system and made its closest approach to the Sun in the fall of 2025, the study of its chemical composition offers valuable insights into the conditions of other planetary systems beyond our own.