3I/ATLAS: A Distant Comet with Organic Signatures

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS likely formed in a chemically primitive region of the early Milky Way.
JWST observations suggest 3I/ATLAS is 3-11 billion years old.
3I/ATLAS formed in a cold (-243°C) environment, colder than Earth's origin.
3I/ATLAS has a diameter of 2.6 km.
3I/ATLAS is moving faster than previous interstellar objects.
3I/ATLAS is the third interstellar object detected.
NASA astrochemist Martin Cordiner notes insights into the galaxy.
Vera Rubin Observatory will aid future detection of interstellar objects.
3I/ATLAS's organic molecules suggest prebiotic chemistry elsewhere.

Astronomy | Space Science | Cosmology

Martin Cordiner

23 hours ago