NASA Detects Building Blocks Of Life On Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS, All You Need To Know

A newly observed interstellar object, 3I/ATLAS, is stirring debate far beyond the astronomy community. After NASA’s SPHEREx spacecraft detected organic chemicals on the comet, Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb suggested the discovery raises an unusual question: could this object be carrying the ingredients of life across star systems? While most scientists see a typical comet behaving as expected near the Sun, Loeb believes the findings deserve a closer look.Organic Molecules Spotted By NASAAccording to observations reported by BBC’s Sky At Night Magazine, NASA’s SPHEREx space telescope analysed 3I/ATLAS in near-infrared light and identified organic molecules such as methanol, methane and cyanide. These compounds are considered chemical precursors

to life on Earth.Study lead Carey Lisse from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory said the materials detected are consistent with what astronomers expect from early Solar System bodies. As the comet approached the Sun, heat triggered sublimation, releasing trapped gases and dust into space. Phil Korngut, a SPHEREx scientist at Caltech, noted that the sunlight may have freed chemicals that had remained sealed in ice for billions of years.Why Methane Is Raising EyebrowsThe discovery of methane has particularly caught attention. Methane typically vaporises at lower temperatures than carbon dioxide. Loeb pointed out that its presence later in the comet’s activity could mean it was buried deep within the object. In interviews with the New York Post and in a Medium blog post, he suggested another possibility: that methane might be produced by microbial life.Loeb has previously proposed that certain interstellar objects could be artificial or carry biological material. In this case, he described 3I/ATLAS as a potential “interstellar gardener,” possibly spreading microbes across planetary systems.Scientific Caution RemainsMost researchers, however, interpret the data more conservatively. Organic molecules are common in space and have been found in numerous comets. The chemical signatures detected on 3I/ATLAS fit established models of cometary behaviour when exposed to solar radiation.There is currently no evidence of living organisms on the object. Astronomers continue to monitor its gas emissions to better understand its composition and origins.A Bigger Question About LifeEven without definitive proof of life, the findings contribute to ongoing discussions about panspermia, the theory that life’s building blocks can travel between star systems on comets or asteroids. Loeb has even speculated about future missions that could intentionally seed microbes onto passing interstellar objects, though such ideas remain theoretical.(with inputs taken from NYP)