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James Webb Space Telescope deciphers the origins of Pluto's icy moon Charon
"The detection of carbon dioxide was a satisfying confirmation of our expectations."
(Image credit: Silvia Protopapa (SwRI), Ian Wong (STScl))Unlike many of the larger objects in the Kuiper Belt, Charon's surface is not obscured by volatile ices like methane, meaning it offers scientists valuable insights into the effects of sunlight exposure and cratering on these distant bodies. "The surface of Charon, as revealed by the New Horizons mission, features numerous craters surrounded by bright ejecta blankets that are rich in water ice and ammonia-bearing compounds," Protopapa explained. "Future JWST observations targeting the spectral gaps, not covered in the current data, could lead to new Charon discoveries and further expand its chemical inventory, possibly revealing other mechanisms at play," Protopapa said.
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