3I/ATLAS Discovery

Comet 3I/ATLAS from beyond solar system carries key molecule for life

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By system
December 6, 2025 â€ĸ 75 views
Original source: New Scientist
Comet 3I/ATLAS from beyond solar system carries key molecule for life

In a groundbreaking revelation, astronomers have unveiled that the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, traveling from beyond our solar system, is harboring a crucial molecule for life: methanol. This remarkable discovery has sparked intrigue among the scientific community, as methanol and other chemicals found on the comet could potentially shed light on the origins of life in the universe. The presence of these vital building blocks on 3I/ATLAS hints at the possibility of extraterrestrial involvement in seeding life on Earth.

This cosmic finding not only fuels curiosity about the composition of interstellar objects but also propels our understanding of how life may have evolved across different corners of the cosmos. By studying comets like 3I/ATLAS and their chemical makeup, astronomers are delving deeper into the mysteries of space and unlocking clues that could redefine our comprehension of life's beginnings. With each new revelation about these celestial wanderers, we edge closer to unraveling the enigmatic connections between distant worlds and our own existence.