Comet 3I/ATLAS Emits Potent Greenhouse Gas as It Passes the Sun
Comet 3I/ATLAS gushed a greenhouse gas 80 times more powerful than CO2 at warming Earth’s atmosphere as it passed the Sun
The Economic TimesImage: The Economic Times
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has been observed emitting methane, a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide, as it approached the Sun. This finding, revealed through studies using the James Webb Space Telescope, provides insights into the comet's composition and origins during its billion-year journey through the galaxy.
- 013I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar object, currently near Jupiter.
- 02The comet emitted methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as it warmed near the Sun.
- 03Methane is 80 times more effective at warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide over 20 years.
- 04The James Webb Space Telescope was instrumental in analyzing the comet's chemical composition.
- 05Observations suggest the comet's outer layers have shed, revealing deeper materials.
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The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, currently near Jupiter, has been observed emitting methane, a greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of atmospheric warming. This emission was detected as the comet approached the Sun, causing its surface ices to sublimate and release gas. A study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters highlights that the comet's warming revealed its internal composition, offering new insights into its origins after a billion-year journey through the galaxy. Researchers utilized the James Webb Space Telescope to analyze mid-infrared emissions, which allowed them to study the comet's chemical makeup. Unlike previous interstellar visitors, 3I/ATLAS is notably brighter, facilitating easier observation. As it continues on its trajectory, the comet's methane emissions are increasing, suggesting the shedding of its ancient outer layers. Further observations are planned for spring 2024 to continue studying its dust composition and chemical properties.
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