Webb detects methane on interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS

Published by Albis · 5 Jun 2026

Direct methane detection on an interstellar visitor is a major science signal because it expands what astronomers can infer about chemistry beyond our solar system

• • Direct methane detection on an interstellar visitor is a major science signal because it expands what astronomers can infer about chemistry beyond our solar system.
• • Capacity and infrastructure bottleneck.
• • The immediate pressure point is US, because that is where the event starts producing visible consequences.
• • Make clear what changed, what is verified, and what happens next.