James Webb Space Telescope detects methane and other gases on interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
Warm and crisp on the edges. A bagel with a bit of bite.
Summary
The James Webb Space Telescope has obtained its first chemical fingerprint of an interstellar object, Comet 3I/ATLAS, using its Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). The observations revealed water vapor spreading far beyond the comet's nucleus (released from icy grains in the coma), while carbon dioxide and methane were found more concentrated near the nucleus. The data was collected during two separate observation sessions, providing insights into the composition of this interstellar visitor.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has collected its first chemical fingerprint of an interstellar object during a recent revisit to Comet 3I/ATLAS.
Water vapour spreads far beyond the nucleus because much of it is released from icy grains in the surrounding coma, while carbon dioxide and methane are more concentrated near the comet's nucleus.
Webb made the observations on two separat
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