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NASA's Webb detects methane and strange chemistry on interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS


NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered unusual chemistry in interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, including the first direct detection of methane on a visitor from another star system. The comet also contains exceptionally high levels of carbon dioxide, making it unlike most comets born in our solar system. Scientists believe the methane was hidden beneath the surface and only emerged after solar heating reached deeper icy layers.

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