Scientists study nickel and iron in interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS to reveal its origin and structure

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is revealing secrets about its origin through the changing ratio of nickel and iron in its coma. Scientists observed these metal emissions using the Very Large Telescope, noting that iron became visible later than nickel as the comet neared the Sun, suggesting organometallic compounds. The comet also shows a depletion of diatomic carbon, indicating it preserved its ancient chemical composition from a unique formation environment.