Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: Evidence for Galactic Cosmic Ray Processing

TL;DR

Spectral observations of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS reveal extreme CO2 enrichment and other features indicating galactic cosmic ray processing of its outer layers, suggesting that such objects primarily show processed rather than pristine material.

Contribution

This study provides the first direct evidence of galactic cosmic ray processing in an interstellar comet, highlighting a new understanding of their surface composition and evolution.

Findings

3I/ATLAS has an unprecedented CO2 enrichment (CO2/H2O = 7.6)

Laboratory experiments show GCR irradiation converts CO to CO2 and forms organic crusts

Outgassing samples only the GCR-processed outer layer (~15-20 m), not pristine interior

Abstract

Spectral observations of 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1) with JWST/NIRSpec and SPHEREx reveal an extreme CO2 enrichment (CO2/H2O = 7.6+-0.3) that is 4.5 sigma above solar system comet trends and among the highest ever recorded. This unprecedented composition, combined with substantial absolute CO levels (CO/H2O = 1.65+-0.09) and red spectral slopes, provides direct evidence for galactic cosmic ray (GCR) processing of the outer layers of the interstellar comet nucleus. Laboratory experiments demonstrate that GCR irradiation efficiently converts CO to CO2 while synthesizing organic-rich crusts, suggesting that the outer layers of 3I/ATLAS consist of irradiated material which properties are consistent with the observed composition of 3I/ATLAS coma and with its observed spectral reddening. Estimates of the erosion rate of 3I/ATLAS indicate that current outgassing samples the GCR-processed zone only (depth ~15-20 m), never reaching pristine interior material. Outgassing of pristine material after perihelion remains possible, though it is considered unlikely. This represents a paradigm shift: long-residence interstellar objects primarily reveal GCR-processed material rather than pristine material representative of their primordial formation environments. With 3I/ATLAS approaching perihelion in October 2025, immediate follow-up observations are critical to confirm this interpretation and establish GCR processing as a fundamental evolutionary pathway for interstellar objects.