Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Using JWST, scientists probed Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs), icy bodies older than Earth, to study the chemical conditions that existed in the early solar system.
JWST detected methanol, a simple organic molecule, on distant TNOs — a possible building block of life, preserved like a time capsule from our solar system’s birth.
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TNOs closer to the Sun showed methanol depletion on their surfaces, broken down by intense solar radiation over billions of years.
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While surface methanol eroded, subsurface layers on TNOs preserved richer methanol stores, protected from solar assault and holding secrets of early chemistry.
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The research focused on “cold-classical” TNOs — ancient objects that have barely moved since formation, making them pristine windows into solar system history.
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Surprisingly, TNOs farther from the Sun had weaker methanol signals, revealing that chemical evolution varies drastically across the outer solar system.
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The study suggests solar irradiation is a key player in reshaping TNO chemistry, gradually transforming simple molecules into more complex organics.
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Findings on TNO methanol offer vital clues for interpreting JWST data on Neptune Trojans, Centaurs, and other remote celestial bodies.
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Beyond science, the quest to trace methanol’s story inspires new generations to dream bigger about space, life’s origins, and our place in the cosmos.
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