The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered that the asteroid-comet chimera 2060 Chiron has an unusual ice mix, shedding new light on the birth of our solar system. Orbits between Jupiter and Neptune, Chiron is a minor body with a mixture of ices and gases that set it apart from other objects in the distant outer solar system.
Researchers found carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide ice on its surface, as well as carbon dioxide and methane gas in its thin coma. The presence of methane suggests that the ice has been exposed to solar heating, causing it to sublimate. This process sparks chemical reactions producing organic byproducts, such as acetylene and ethane.
Centaurs like Chiron are thought to be pristine, having remained untouched since their formation 4.5 billion years ago. By studying these objects, scientists can gain insights into the solar system’s early history and how it formed certain objects in the protoplanetary disk around the young sun.
Chiron’s unique orbit and composition make it a valuable subject for study. As the object moves closer to the sun over the next 20 years, it will grow brighter and more active, allowing researchers to observe its ices and organic chemistry with greater accuracy. The findings have implications for understanding the behavior of other centaurs and their potential evolution in the coming million years.
The new data were published in December’s Astronomy & Astrophysics journal, offering a glimpse into Chiron’s mysterious past and its place within our solar system.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/asteroids/asteroid-comet-chimera-chiron-has-an-unusual-ice-mix-james-webb-space-telescope-finds