NASA's Webb Telescope finds icy compounds with life ingredients in space near these protostars

Reshaping our understanding of extraterrestrial chemistry, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has unearthed a cosmic cocktail of ingredients essential for life's formation. Recent observations unveiled a surprising array of icy compounds surrounding young protostars IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385, including familiar substances like ethanol, and possibly acetic acid.

This revelation, made possible by Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), highlights the foundationsof potentially habitable worlds, where conditions might be suitable for life.

As per NASA, "MIRI was developed through a 50-50 partnership between NASA and ESA. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory led the US efforts for MIRI, and a multinational consortium of European astronomical institutes contributes for ESA."

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Astronomers speculate that these complex organic molecules (COMs) likely originated from icy materials undergoing sublimation, transitioning directly from the solid to the gas phase. The detection of COMs within ices raises hopes for unraveling the genesis of larger molecules in space.

Also Read |Scientists spot black hole devouring star at close proximity to Earth

Moreover, simpler compounds such as formic acid, methane, formaldehyde, and sulfur dioxide were also identified, hinting at potential parallels to early Earth's chemistry. Notably, sulfur-containing compounds like sulfur dioxide may have played a pivotal role in driving metabolic reactions on our primitive planet.

“All of these molecules can become part of comets and asteroids and eventually new planetary systems when the icy material is transported inward to the planet-forming disk as the protostellar system evolves,” said Ewine van Dishoeck, one of the coordinators of the science program at Leiden University.

Also Read |Greenland ice sheet melting rates can predict Europe's summer weather. Here's how

“We look forward to following this astrochemical trail step-by-step with more Webb data in the coming years, he added.

Watch |China's wetland parks welcome hundreds of swans & other migratory birds

These findings hold profound implications for our understanding of planetary formation and the potential for life beyond our own world.

The study, conducted under the James Webb Observations of Young ProtoStars (JOYS+) program, pays tribute to Harold Linnartz, a valued team member whose contributions were integral to the project. He passed away in December 2023.

(With inputs from agencies)