Comet ATLAS: Water Activity Near Sun
The rare interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, which reached perihelion on October 29, 2025, has surprised scientists with the detection of hydroxyl (OH) gas, a definitive chemical signature of water, escaping at an unusually high rate. This unexpected water activity challenges previous assumptions about interstellar comets and offers a unique opportunity to compare planetary system chemistry across the Milky Way.