An article published in the journal “Nature Astronomy” describes the results of a spectroscopic analysis and thermal modeling of the interstellar asteroid 1I/2017 U1 ‘Oumuamua. A team of astronomers led by Professor Alan Fitzsimmons and Dr. Michele Bannister from the School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen’s University Belfast concluded that, due to its exposure to cosmic rays, a superficial layering of organic and insulating materials occurred on the asteroid and it might contain ice.