The characterization (and digitalization) continues:
Astrophysics > Earth and Planetary Astrophysics arxiv.org/abs/2509.01647
[Submitted on 1 Sep 2025]
Salazar Manzano, L. E. Lin, H. W. Taylor, A. G. et al. Onset of CN Emission in 3I/ATLAS: Evidence for Strong Carbon-Chain Depletion
And now, three independent observers at three different telescopes confirm onset of cyanide (CN) emission at interstellar object 3I/ATLAS. There was last week’s post, a new and separate preprint (submitted for journal publication) from Salazar Manzano et al., and a prior Astronomer’s Telegram:
www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=17352 Schleicher, D. The Detection of CN in
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS 22 Aug 2025
As ATLAS crosses the Main Belt, it nears the Sun, and warms. More components, and more of them, become active and visible. CN had not been detected before mid-August, because why would it? 3I was distant and cold. Meanwhile, loss of organic components (C2 and C3) haven’t appeared. We’ll see if it’s just too early.