Produced by: Tarun Mishra
An international team of astronomers, using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, has made groundbreaking discoveries regarding the chemical composition of early-stage protostars where planets have not yet formed.
The team has identified a range of molecules, from relatively simple ones like methane to complex compounds like acetic acid and ethanol, within these protostars. These molecules are essential for the formation of potentially habitable worlds.
The presence of complex organic molecules (COMs) in the solid phase in protostars, first predicted decades ago, has now been confirmed through the unprecedented spectral resolution and sensitivity of Webb's Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI).
The identification of these COMs, including acetaldehyde, ethanol, methyl formate, and likely acetic acid, in the interstellar ices sheds light on the origin of such molecules in space.
It is now believed that these COMs originate from the sublimation of ices, indicating that solid-phase chemical reactions on the surfaces of cold dust grains contribute to the formation of complex molecules.
The presence of COMs in ices suggests a potential mechanism for transporting these molecules to planet-forming disks, comets, and asteroids, potentially providing the building blocks for life on newly formed planets.
The study, published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, was led by researchers from the University of Toronto and Leiden University. Harold Linnartz and Ewine van Dishoeck played key roles in coordinating and interpreting the data.
Further research is needed to explore the complexity of icy chemistry in protostars, with recent work hinting at the presence of additional molecules like methyl cyanide and ethyl cyanide.
As the Webb telescope continues to gather data, astronomers anticipate uncovering more insights into the chemical processes occurring in protostars, providing valuable information about the formation of planetary systems and the potential for life beyond Earth.