NASA’s James Webb Telescope finds ethanol, other icy ingredients in deep space

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Icebound Revelations: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope discovers ethanol and other organic molecules in the icy regions surrounding protostars IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385.

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Origins of Cosmic Molecules: The discovery sheds light on the early chemical processes that precede planet formation, offering insights into the universe's alchemy. Team leader Will Rocha from Leiden University highlights the significance of these findings in astrochemistry.

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Proto-Solar Connection: The chemicals swirling around IRAS 2A resemble those present during the infancy of our own solar system, suggesting a universal recipe for planetary systems.

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Investigating with Webb: The James Webb Space Telescope utilizes infrared spectroscopy to detect organic compounds in space. It explores regions hidden by cosmic dust clouds, revealing the spectral signatures of various molecules.

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 Infrared Spectroscopy: The Telescope's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) detects heat emissions and absorption characteristics of molecules in space. Infrared light penetrates cosmic dust clouds, enabling observations of hidden regions.

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Spectral Signatures: Every molecule emits unique spectral signatures when exposed to infrared light. The Telescope's sensitive instruments analyze these signatures to identify the presence of specific organic compounds, such as ethanol and acetic acid.

Photo Credit: NASA

Unveiling the Universe's Secrets: The James Webb Space Telescope continues its mission to uncover the secrets of our solar system and beyond, offering unprecedented insights into the formation of stars, planets, and the very chemicals that could lead to life elsewhere in the universe.