A group of researchers from IAS have identified ammonium-rich (NH₄⁺) phyllosilicates in samples collected at the surface of asteroids Ryugu and Bennu. This is a first for this type of extraterrestrial material. This discovery, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates that ammonium is a key component of nitrogen chemistry for all ‘primitive’ small bodies, whether they are carbonaceous asteroids or comets.
In November 2025, the ESA/Juice mission observed the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, a rare visitor from another stellar system. On this occasion, the MAJIS instrument detected emissions of water vapor and carbon dioxide, revealing strong cometary activity shortly after its closest approach to the Sun. These observations reflect the sublimation of ices buried beneath the surface, released due to solar heating. The outgassing rate, estimated at about 2 tonnes per second, indicates a particularly active process.
