Recent studies of Charon, Pluto’s largest moon, have focused on its composition and changes due to radiation and photolysis. However, spectral data have been limited to wavelengths below 2.5 μm, leaving some questions unanswered. Now, a team of scientists has used JWST data to detect carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on Charon’s surface. These discoveries add to the known chemical inventory of Charon, which includes crystalline water ice, ammonia-bearing species, and tholin-like darkening constituents.

The presence of H2O2 indicates active radiolytic/photolytic processing of the water ice-rich surface by solar ultraviolet and interplanetary medium Lyman-⍺ photons, solar wind, and galactic cosmic rays. CO2 is present in pure crystalline form and, possibly, in intimately mixed states on the surface. The primary source of CO2 is likely endogenically sourced subsurface CO2 exposed on the surface, with possible contributions from irradiation of hydrocarbons mixed with water ice, interfacial radiolysis between carbon deposits and water ice, and the implantation of energetic carbon ions from the solar wind and solar energetic particles.

These findings provide important insights into the chemical diversity and evolutionary processes on Charon. CO2 and H2O2 are both important molecules in the search for life beyond Earth. CO2 is a key ingredient for photosynthesis, and H2O2 is a byproduct of metabolism. The presence of these molecules on Charon does not necessarily mean that the moon is habitable, but it does suggest that it may have once been more hospitable to life than it is today.

Additional Findings

In addition to CO2 and H2O2, the JWST data also revealed the presence of amorphous water ice on Charon’s surface. This is the first time that amorphous ice has been detected on Charon. Amorphous ice is a less stable form of water ice that is thought to be formed by rapid cooling. The presence of amorphous ice on Charon suggests that the moon has undergone a period of rapid cooling in the past.

Significance of the Findings

The findings of this study have important implications for our understanding of the evolution of Charon and other icy moons in the outer solar system. The presence of CO2 and H2O2 on Charon suggests that the moon has a complex history of interaction with the solar wind and other radiation sources. The presence of amorphous ice on Charon suggests that the moon has undergone a period of rapid cooling in the past.

These findings will help scientists to better understand the processes that have shaped the evolution of Charon and other icy moons. This information will be used to develop more accurate models of the formation and evolution of these moons.

Future Research

The team of scientists plans to continue studying Charon using JWST data. They hope to learn more about the distribution of CO2 and H2O2 on the moon’s surface. They also hope to learn more about the nature of the amorphous ice on Charon.
This research will help us to better understand the evolution of Charon and other icy moons in the outer solar system.

The detection of CO2 and H2O2 on Charon is a significant discovery. It provides important insights into the chemical diversity and evolutionary processes on Charon. This research will help us to better understand the evolution of Charon and other icy moons in the outer solar system.

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