Artist Impression of 3I/ATLAS Comparing Semi-Heavy Water Content to that of Earth

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Artist Impression of 3I/ATLAS Comparing Semi-Heavy Water Content to that of Earth

Artist Impression of 3I/ATLAS Comparing Semi-Heavy Water Content to that of Earth

This artist’s impression compares the semi-heavy water content of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS (left) and Earth (right). Insets illustrate the relative abundance of deuterated water (HDO) molecules, showing that 3I/ATLAS contains over 30 times more HDO than is found in Earth’s oceans. This elevated ratio suggests the comet formed in an extremely cold environment, very different from the conditions that shaped our Solar System. Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/M.Weiss

Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/M.Weiss

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