3I/ATLAS is even puzzling NASA now.
According to Chron, NASA astrochemist Martin Cordiner and his team conducted a study in Chile to examine gases emanating from the surface of the comet. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), the scientists discovered “high amounts of methanol and hydrogen cyanide…”
Why is this finding in particular strange?
As Cordiner explained to New Scientist, these two molecules “…are at trace abundances and not the dominant constituents of our own comets.” He further stated, “Here we see that, actually, in this alien comet they’re very abundant.”
In addition to this unusual phenomenon, methanol is reportedly being released from the ice particles around the comet. Cordiner and his team further found that the comet’s expulsion of these gases is “among the most enriched values measured in any comet.”
The Hubble Space Telescope, along with the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, has also taken new images of 3I/ATLAS, according to CNN. As the outlet notes, the latest image displays a “glowing halo of gas” that envelops the interstellar object, along with two tails: one composed of dust and the other composed of “electrically charged gas.”
With the comet closest to Earth on Dec. 19, speculation and intrigue surrounding this natural wonder continue to captivate people around the world, with some wondering whether it could be a sign of alien life. Instead of worrying about extraterrestrial visitors, this is a moment to let the beauty of this comet draw our hearts back to prayer, reflection, and a deeper encounter with Jesus, the true light of the world.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
