3I/ATLAS surprises scientists again as they spot something unusual around the comet

Scientists studying interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS have made another surprising discovery, as they observed gas escaping around the comet moving more slowly than expected. This finding, published by IRAM on September 14, offers clues about the comet's distant environment of origin and the unusual composition of its coma. The team, led by Nicolas Biver, discovered differences in chemical proportions compared to typical Solar System comets, with hydrogen cyanide depleted and a low ratio of sulphur to carbon.

The slower-than-anticipated gas speed could be due to heavier molecules driving the outflow or icy grains releasing water as they evaporate. These observations provide valuable insights into the building blocks of other planetary systems, as 3I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar object discovered passing through our celestial neighborhood.

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