James Webb finds mysterious chemical signal on Titan and Pluto

The James Webb Space Telescope has identified a mysterious chemical signal on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, and on Pluto, a dwarf planet located in the outermost region of the Solar System. The discovery surprised scientists because the detected signature did not match any substance known in studies or laboratory databases.

The research analyzed observations made by James Webb on different instruments and dates. On Titan, the signal was recorded in data collected in November 2022 and July 2023. On Pluto, the same feature appeared in observations carried out in May 2023. In both cases, the absorption was identified at practically the same wavelength, around 5.11 micrometers.

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For researchers, the coincidence reduces the possibility of an instrumental error and suggests that the two bodies share some chemical compound or process that is still unknown. On Pluto, however, the signature appeared more broadly than on Titan, indicating that the material or environment where it is present may be different.

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Despite the differences between the two worlds, they have some characteristics in common. Both Titan and Pluto have atmospheres dominated by nitrogen and methane and develop thick organic hazes formed by the action of sunlight on these gases.

Scientists claim that, for now, it has not been possible to identify which substance produces this absorption in the infrared spectrum.

Source: CNN