Chemical analysis uncovers the secrets of comet 3I/ATLAS
An analysis of the composition of Comet 3I/ATLAS using the James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that it is the oldest celestial body studied up close, formed more than 10 billion years ago—more than twice the age of the Solar System. Studies recorded an elevated deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio, about 30 times higher than that found in Solar System comets, indicating that the comet formed in a very cold environment during the early stages of the Milky Way's history and has remained cold throughout its life. The results also showed a low abundance of Carbon-13, reinforcing its extreme age, along with an enrichment in cyanide, which is thought to play a role in chemical processes associated with the origin of life. These studies help in understanding the conditions that may have been similar to those that led to the emergence of life on Earth, across different regions of the universe.
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