Just as mysterious interstellar object 3I/ATLAS reemerged from behind the Sun last week, astronomers detected intriguing radio signals from it that give new clues about its chemical composition.

3I/ATLAS, which is widely believed to be a comet, has been soaring through the solar system at a breakneck speed, reaching its perihelion, or closest point to the Sun, on October 29. Days earlier, it reached its solar conjunction relative to Earth, or when the Sun was perfectly in line between us and the mysterious object, temporarily blocking it from view.

On October 24, astronomers at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory used the MeerKAT radio telescope to once again probe the rare visitor.

Two previous attempts in September proved fruitless — but the third time was the charm. The tea

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