‘CO2 and Hydrogen’: James Webb Telescope unravels the origins of Pluto’s icy moon
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Detection of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Peroxide
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have identified carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on the surface of Charon, Pluto’s largest moon. This discovery offers new insights into the formation of Charon and similar icy bodies in the solar system.
Study Led by Southwest Research Institute
The research was conducted by a team led by Silvia Protopapa at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), addressing gaps in understanding Charon’s surface composition. Previous studies had detected water ice, ammonia-bearing species, and organic compounds, but carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide had remained elusive until now.
Importance of Charon’s Surface
Charon, which is approximately 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) wide and located in the Kuiper Belt, provides scientists with a unique opportunity to study the effects of sunlight exposure and cratering on icy bodies, as its surface is not obscured by volatile ices like methane.
Methodology of Discovery
The team utilized the JWST’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) to analyze Charon’s surface. By comparing spectroscopic observations with laboratory measurements and spectral models, they concluded that carbon dioxide exists primarily as a surface veneer over a water-ice-rich subsurface.
Geological Insights
The findings suggest that impact events have exposed materials from Charon’s interior, revealing evidence of carbon dioxide and indicating a complex geological history. This includes bright ejecta blankets rich in water ice and ammonia-bearing compounds.
Surprising Presence of Hydrogen Peroxide
The detection of hydrogen peroxide on Charon was unexpected. Protopapa noted that it forms from the breakdown of water molecules, influenced by solar and cosmic radiation. The presence of hydrogen peroxide suggests active surface alterations due to external forces.
Future Research Directions
The team plans to conduct further JWST observations to explore spectral gaps in the current data. These investigations could lead to new discoveries regarding Charon’s surface composition and additional mechanisms that influence its chemistry.
Publication of Findings
The research was published on October 1 in the journal Nature Communications, adding to the body of knowledge about Charon and contributing to the understanding of icy bodies beyond Neptune’s orbit.