James Webb telescope uncovers secrets of mysterious asteroid-comet hybrid beyond Jupiter

Chiron, discovered in 1977, orbits the sun every 50 years. (Representative Image: AI generated)

The James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled intriguing details about Chiron, a unique space object with traits of both asteroids and comets. These findings offer a deeper insight into its composition and a glimpse into the early solar system.

Uncovering chiron’s composition

Chiron, discovered in 1977, orbits the sun every 50 years. Situated between Jupiter and Neptune, this centaur's icy nucleus was found to contain frozen carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Surrounding its nucleus, scientists detected carbon dioxide and methane in its coma, the gas and dust cloud.

For the first time, researchers also observed water ice and carbon-based molecules like ethane and propane on a centaur. Chiron likely inherited carbon dioxide and water from the nebula that created the solar system. These elements remain largely unchanged, reflecting ancient cosmic conditions.

Read Also: Astronomers discover 140 trillion oceans of water circling a supermassive black hole quasar in space

Carbon monoxide, typically more volatile than carbon dioxide, was found frozen on Chiron’s surface. This suggests complex gas emissions from separate reservoirs. Light interacting with methane and water ice might produce ethane and propane molecules on the surface.

Future studies and implications

Planetary scientist Charles Schambeau noted the uniqueness of these results. Detecting gas comae around distant objects like Chiron is extremely challenging. However, the James Webb Space Telescope made these discoveries possible, revealing Chiron’s interior composition and unusual behaviours.

Read Also: NASA's Parker Solar Probe will make its closest-ever sun approach on Christmas Eve, but why is its success a mystery to us?

Further observations planned as Chiron approaches Earth could provide additional insights. Researchers aim to study its ice, silicates, and organic materials in greater detail. Co-author Noemi Pinilla-Alonso said understanding seasonal changes and illumination effects will refine knowledge of Chiron’s ice reservoirs and orbital behaviour.

This celestial hybrid offers a rare window into the history of our solar system. Chiron’s study might unlock secrets about the primitive processes that shaped planetary formation billions of years ago.