Webb Finds Plethora of Carbon Molecules Around Young Star (MIRI Spectrum)
Tiny star, big potential.
Webb studied the planet-forming disk around a star weighing one-tenth of our Sun, finding it to hold the largest number of carbon-containing molecules seen to date in such a disk. These molecules include the first detection of ethane outside of our solar system, as well as ethylene, propyne, and more.
Rocky planets are more likely than gas giants to form around low-mass stars, making the planet-forming disks of low-mass stars particularly interesting. Learn more about what these results tell us: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/webb-finds-plethora-of-car...
This image: This graphic presents some of the results from the MIRI Mid-INfrared Disk Survey (MINDS), which aims to build a bridge between the chemical inventory of disks and the properties of exoplanets. In a new study, a science team explored the region around a very low-mass star of 0.11 solar masses (known as ISO-ChaI 147). They found that the gas in the planet-forming region of the star is rich in carbon. This could mean that the building blocks for planets may lack carbon because all of the carbon-containing chemicals have evaporated and been lost into the surrounding gas. As a result, any rocky planets that form might be carbon-poor.
The spectrum revealed by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) shows the richest hydrocarbon chemistry seen to date in a protoplanetary disk, consisting of 13 carbon-bearing molecules. This includes the first extrasolar detection of ethane (C2H6). The team also successfully detected ethylene (C2H4), propyne (C3H4), and the methyl radical CH3, for the first time in a protoplanetary disk.
This graphic highlights the detections of ethane (C2H6), methane (CH4), propyne (C3H4), cyanoacetylene (HC3N), and the methyl radical CH3.
Credits: Illustration: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI)
Image Description: Spectrum: Graph labeled “Very low-mass star, ISO-ChaI 147, Hydrocarbons in protoplanetary disk, MIRI medium resolution spectroscopy.” The x-axis is labeled “Wavelength of Light, microns” and extends from 6 to 17 microns with tick marks every 2 microns. The y-axis is labeled “Brightness” and has an up arrow labeled “brighter” and a down arrow labeled “dimmer.” A jagged dark-gray line with various peaks extends horizontally. Five peaks are highlighted with colored vertical bands, and the data line within the bands is a brighter gray. They are: methane (CH4) from about 7 to 8.5 microns, ethane (C2H6) from 11.5 to 12.6 microns, cyanoacetylene (HC3N) at about 15.2 microns, propyne (C3H4) at about 15.8 microns, and methyl radical (CH3) from 16.3 to 16.8 microns.
Webb Finds Plethora of Carbon Molecules Around Young Star (MIRI Spectrum)
Tiny star, big potential.
Webb studied the planet-forming disk around a star weighing one-tenth of our Sun, finding it to hold the largest number of carbon-containing molecules seen to date in such a disk. These molecules include the first detection of ethane outside of our solar system, as well as ethylene, propyne, and more.
Rocky planets are more likely than gas giants to form around low-mass stars, making the planet-forming disks of low-mass stars particularly interesting. Learn more about what these results tell us: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/webb-finds-plethora-of-car...
This image: This graphic presents some of the results from the MIRI Mid-INfrared Disk Survey (MINDS), which aims to build a bridge between the chemical inventory of disks and the properties of exoplanets. In a new study, a science team explored the region around a very low-mass star of 0.11 solar masses (known as ISO-ChaI 147). They found that the gas in the planet-forming region of the star is rich in carbon. This could mean that the building blocks for planets may lack carbon because all of the carbon-containing chemicals have evaporated and been lost into the surrounding gas. As a result, any rocky planets that form might be carbon-poor.
The spectrum revealed by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) shows the richest hydrocarbon chemistry seen to date in a protoplanetary disk, consisting of 13 carbon-bearing molecules. This includes the first extrasolar detection of ethane (C2H6). The team also successfully detected ethylene (C2H4), propyne (C3H4), and the methyl radical CH3, for the first time in a protoplanetary disk.
This graphic highlights the detections of ethane (C2H6), methane (CH4), propyne (C3H4), cyanoacetylene (HC3N), and the methyl radical CH3.
Credits: Illustration: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI)
Image Description: Spectrum: Graph labeled “Very low-mass star, ISO-ChaI 147, Hydrocarbons in protoplanetary disk, MIRI medium resolution spectroscopy.” The x-axis is labeled “Wavelength of Light, microns” and extends from 6 to 17 microns with tick marks every 2 microns. The y-axis is labeled “Brightness” and has an up arrow labeled “brighter” and a down arrow labeled “dimmer.” A jagged dark-gray line with various peaks extends horizontally. Five peaks are highlighted with colored vertical bands, and the data line within the bands is a brighter gray. They are: methane (CH4) from about 7 to 8.5 microns, ethane (C2H6) from 11.5 to 12.6 microns, cyanoacetylene (HC3N) at about 15.2 microns, propyne (C3H4) at about 15.8 microns, and methyl radical (CH3) from 16.3 to 16.8 microns.