Astronomers found a cosmic cocktail of alcohol inside a visitor from another star

Space
Astronomers found a cosmic cocktail of alcohol inside a visitor from another star

Researchers detected a surprising mixture of organic chemicals, including ethyl alcohol and antifreeze, trailing behind the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov as it journeyed through our solar system in 2019.

Comet 2I/Borisov made history as the second known interstellar object to pass through our neighborhood, carrying chemical secrets from a distant planetary system. Using the ALMA telescope, astronomers identified high concentrations of carbon monoxide alongside ethyl alcohol and hydrogen cyanide in the comet’s tail.

There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.

Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 2-question quiz
Open in App

Get the full experience

Download Facts A Day