First extrasolar detection of ethane and other hydrocarbons in such a disk
Gas in the disk appears rich in carbon, challenging our understanding of planetary formation and role of star composition
International team led by Thomas Henning from Max Planck Institute for Astronomy used JWST's MIRI Mid-Infrared Disk Survey to study the disk
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope detects abundance of hydrocarbons in protoplanetary disk around low-mass star ISO-ChaI 147
In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected an abundance of carbon-rich molecules in the protoplanetary disk surrounding the very low-mass star ISO-ChaI 147. This star, located approximately 639 light-years away from Earth, is known for its deficiency in oxygen-rich compounds. The findings have significant implications for understanding the potential composition of planets that might form around this star.
The international team of astronomers led by Thomas Henning from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg, Germany, used JWST's MIRI Mid-Infrared Disk Survey (MINDS) to study the disk. Their results revealed a wealth of organic molecules, including ethane (C2H6), ethylene (C2H4), propyne (C3H4), and benzene (C6H6). This is the first extrasolar detection of ethane and other hydrocarbons in such a disk.
Rocky planets are more likely to form around low-mass stars like ISO-ChaI 147, making them the most common planets around the most common stars in our galaxy. However, little is known about their chemistry and potential similarities or differences from Earth. The detection of these hydrocarbon molecules in ISO-ChaI 147's disk provides valuable insights into this area of research.
The gas in the disk appears to be rich in carbon, which may explain why Earth is relatively carbon-poor compared to other planets. This discovery challenges our understanding of planetary formation and the role that star composition plays in shaping planetary systems.
These findings underscore the importance of continued exploration and research using advanced telescopes like JWST to expand our knowledge of the universe and its diverse range of celestial bodies.
An international team of astronomers used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to study the disk of gas and dust around a young, very low-mass star.
The results reveal the largest number of carbon-containing molecules seen to date in such a disk.
These findings have implications for the potential composition of any planets that might form around this star.
Rocky planets are more likely than gas giants to form around low-mass stars, making them the most common planets around the most common stars in our galaxy.
The spectrum revealed by Webb’s MIRI shows the richest hydrocarbon chemistry seen to date in a protoplanetary disk - a total of 13 different carbon-bearing molecules.
The team’s findings include the first detection of ethane (C2H6) outside of our solar system, as well as ethylene (C2H4), propyne (C3H4), and the methyl radical CH3.
These hydrocarbon molecules are likely abundant in the gas in the disk, suggesting that the planets that might form there may ultimately be carbon-poor.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered a wealth of organic molecules in the planet-forming disk around a very low-mass star ISO-ChaI 147, which is rich in carbon and lacks oxygen-rich species.
The first extrasolar detection of ethane (C2H6) was made from this article.
