Its discovery in other parts of the solar system — and even planet-forming discs around distant stars — has therefore been met with immense excitement by the scientific community. Now, add another intriguing location where scientists have detected the fascinating molecule: in recent readings from 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar object cruising through our solar system ever to be identified in history. The sheer concentration of the gases caught them off guard on the interstellar visitor, which is widely believed to be a type of comet. By examining the ALMA data, the scientists concluded that both methanol and hydrogen cyanide gas came from 3I/ATLAS’ rocky core. “The anomalously large ratio of methanol to hydrogen-cyanide production by 3I/ATLAS suggests a friendly nature for this interstellar visitor,” Loeb wrote — a “friendly interstellar gardener” and not a “deadly threat.”More on 3I/ATLAS: New Image Shows Signs of Activity on 3I/ATLAS