Dust Activity Evolution and Constraints on Icy Grains in the Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
Observations of comet 3I/ATLAS using Zwicky Transient Facility data characterized its dust activity before and after perihelion. The study found that dust mass-loss rates significantly increased post-perihelion, suggesting a short-lived, volatile-bearing icy grain component caused transient brightening and color changes in the outer coma.