The First Detection of Molecular Activity in the Largest Known Oort Cloud Comet: ALMA Imaging of C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli–Bernstein) at 16.6 au from the Sun

X. Roth, Nathan; N. Milam, Stefanie; A. Cordiner, Martin; Bockelée-Morvan, Dominique; Biver, Nicolas; S. P. Kelley, Michael; J. Remijan, Anthony; B. Charnley, Steven; E. Holt, Carrie; D. Foster, Kiernan; Chatelain, Joseph; Gomez, Edward; Greenstreet, Sarah; Lister, Tim; Usher, Helen

doi:10.3847/2041-8213/add526

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The First Detection of Molecular Activity in the Largest Known Oort Cloud Comet: ALMA Imaging of C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli–Bernstein) at 16.6 au from the Sun

Shared by NobleBlocks on Jun 12, 2025 • 12:00 AM UTC

Authors:

Nathan X. Roth

Stefanie N. Milam

Martin A. Cordiner

Abstract

Abstract We report observations of comet C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli–Bernstein) carried out on UT 2024 March 8 and 17 at a heliocentric distance ( r H ) of 16.6 au using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The CO ( J = 2–1) line at 230 GHz was detected along with continuum emiss...

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