JWST reveals surprising surface chemistry is occurring on Pluto’s moon Charon

JWST finds CO2 and H2O2 on Charon, suggesting ongoing surface chemistry.

: The James Webb Space Telescope detected carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on Pluto's moon Charon. This discovery points to active surface chemistry. The H2O2 may form through interactions with light, while CO2 might surface due to impacts. These discoveries provide insight into Pluto-Charon's formation and Kuiper Belt chemistry.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has uncovered intriguing surface chemistry on Pluto's moon Charon, detecting both carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This was revealed by Silvia Protopapa and her team's work, using JWST's capability to observe at longer wavelengths, which previous missions like New Horizons could not.

The presence of H2O2 suggests active chemistry as it likely forms from radiation interactions with water ice on Charon's icy surface. Meanwhile, CO2 might have emerged from subterranean layers exposed by impact events, offering new insights into the dynamics and composition of bodies within the Kuiper Belt.

These findings might also shed light on Charon's formation theories, which parallel the Earth-moon system's impact events. Thus, JWST's observations not only illuminate Charon's mysteries but also reinforce its role in understanding the evolution of Trans-Neptunian Objects.

planetary scienceSurface ChemistryJWST