\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCheers! NASA\u2019s Webb Finds Ethanol, Other Icy Ingredients for Worlds\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/webb-stsci-01hqk9j5bze4jsjqyxkvjc0xqs-1k.png?w=668\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWebb MIRI image of a region near the protostar known as IRAS 23385. IRAS 23385 and IRAS 2a.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCredits: <\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA, ESA, CSA, W. Rocha (Leiden University)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat do margaritas, vinegar, and ant stings have in common? They contain chemical ingredients that NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope has identified surrounding two young protostars known as IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385. Although planets are not yet forming around those stars, these and other molecules detected there by Webb represent key ingredients for making potentially habitable worlds.<\/p>\n
An international team of astronomers used Webb\u2019s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) to identify a variety of icy compounds made up of complex organic molecules like ethanol (alcohol) and likely acetic acid (an ingredient in vinegar). This work builds on previous Webb detections<\/a> of diverse ices in a cold, dark molecular cloud.<\/p>\nImage A: Parallel Field to Protostar IRAS 23385 (MIRI Image)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\nThis image at a wavelength of 15 microns was taken by MIRI (the Mid-Infrared Instrument) on NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope, of a region near the protostar known as IRAS 23385. IRAS 23385 and IRAS 2A (not visible in this image) were targets for a recent research effort by an international team of astronomers that used Webb to discover that the key ingredients for making potentially habitable worlds are present in early-stage protostars, where planets have not yet formed.<\/div>\nNASA, ESA, CSA, W. Rocha (Leiden University)<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat is the origin of complex organic molecules (COMs) ?<\/h2>\n
\u201cThis finding contributes to one of the long-standing questions in astrochemistry,\u201d said team leader Will Rocha of Leiden University in the Netherlands. \u201cWhat is the origin of complex organic molecules, or COMs, in space? Are they made in the gas phase or in ices? The detection of COMs in ices suggests that solid-phase chemical reactions on the surfaces of cold dust grains can build complex kinds of molecules.\u201d<\/p>\n
As several COMs, including those detected in the solid phase in this research, were previously detected in the warm gas phase, it is now believed that they originate from the sublimation of ices. Sublimation is to change directly from a solid to a gas without becoming a liquid. Therefore, detecting COMs in ices makes astronomers hopeful about improved understanding of the origins of other, even larger molecules in space.<\/p>\n
Scientists are also keen to explore to what extent these COMs are transported to planets at much later stages of protostellar evolution. COMs in cold ices are thought to be easier to transport from molecular clouds to planet-forming disks than warm, gaseous molecules. These icy COMs can therefore be incorporated into comets and asteroids, which in turn may collide with forming planets, delivering the ingredients for life to possibly flourish.<\/p>\n
The science team also detected simpler molecules, including formic acid (which causes the burning sensation of an ant sting), methane, formaldehyde, and sulfur dioxide. Research suggests that sulfur-containing compounds like sulfur dioxide played an important role in driving metabolic reactions on the primitive Earth.<\/p>\n
Image B: Complex Organic Molecules in IRAS 2A<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Graphic](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/webb-stsci-01hrct04k6nkvqfvgnhngeyj3r-4k.png?w=2048\")
<\/figure>\nNASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope\u2019s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) has identified a variety of complex organic molecules that are present in interstellar ices surrounding two protostars. These molecules, which are key ingredients for making potentially habitable worlds, include ethanol, formic acid, methane, and likely acetic acid, in the solid phase. The finding came from the study of two protostars, IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385, both of which are so young that they are not yet forming planets.\n<\/div>\nIllustration: NASA, ESA, CSA, L. Hustak (STScI). Science: W. Rocha (Leiden University).<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSimilar to the early stages of our own solar system?<\/h2>\n
Of particular interest is that one of the sources investigated, IRAS 2A, is characterized as a low-mass protostar. IRAS 2A may therefore be similar to the early stages of our own solar system. As such, the chemicals identified around this protostar were likely present in the first stages of development of our solar system and later delivered to the primitive Earth.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of these molecules can become part of comets and asteroids and eventually new planetary systems when the icy material is transported inward to the planet-forming disk as the protostellar system evolves,\u201d said Ewine van Dishoeck of Leiden University, one of the coordinators of the science program. \u201cWe look forward to following this astrochemical trail step-by-step with more Webb data in the coming years.\u201d<\/p>\n
These observations were made for the JOYS+ (James Webb Observations of Young ProtoStars) program. The team dedicated these results to team member Harold Linnartz, who unexpectedly passed away in December 2023, shortly after the acceptance of this paper.<\/p>\n
This research has been accepted for publication in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.<\/a><\/p>\nThe James Webb Space Telescope is the world\u2019s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency.<\/em><\/p>\nDownloads<\/h2>\n
Right click the images in this article to open a larger version<\/strong> in a new tab\/window.
Download full resolution images for this article<\/a><\/strong> from the Space Telescope Science Institute.
This research has been accepted for publication in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.<\/a><\/p>\nMedia Contacts<\/h2>\n
Laura\u00a0Betz<\/strong> \u2013 laura.e.betz@nasa.gov<\/a>, Rob Gutro<\/strong> \u2013 rob.gutro@nasa.gov<\/a>
NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a>, Greenbelt, Md.<\/p>\nChristine Pulliam<\/strong> \u2013 cpulliam@stsci.edu<\/a>
Space Telescope Science Institute<\/a>, Baltimore, Md.<\/p>\nRelated Information<\/h2>\n
Molecular Clouds<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nProtostars<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nStar Lifecycle<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMore Webb News<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/latestnews\/<\/p>\nMore Webb Images<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/multimedia\/images\/<\/p>\nWebb Mission Page<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/<\/p>\nRelated For Kids<\/h2>\n
What is the Webb Telescope?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nSpacePlace for Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nEn Espa\u00f1ol<\/h2>\n
Ciencia de la NASA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nNASA en espa\u00f1ol\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nSpace Place\u00a0para ni\u00f1os<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nKeep Exploring<\/div>\nRelated Topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA, ESA, CSA, W. Rocha (Leiden University)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
What do margaritas, vinegar, and ant stings have in common? They contain chemical ingredients that NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope has identified surrounding two young protostars known as IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385. Although planets are not yet forming around those stars, these and other molecules detected there by Webb represent key ingredients for making potentially habitable worlds.<\/p>\n
An international team of astronomers used Webb\u2019s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) to identify a variety of icy compounds made up of complex organic molecules like ethanol (alcohol) and likely acetic acid (an ingredient in vinegar). This work builds on previous Webb detections<\/a> of diverse ices in a cold, dark molecular cloud.<\/p>\n \u201cThis finding contributes to one of the long-standing questions in astrochemistry,\u201d said team leader Will Rocha of Leiden University in the Netherlands. \u201cWhat is the origin of complex organic molecules, or COMs, in space? Are they made in the gas phase or in ices? The detection of COMs in ices suggests that solid-phase chemical reactions on the surfaces of cold dust grains can build complex kinds of molecules.\u201d<\/p>\n As several COMs, including those detected in the solid phase in this research, were previously detected in the warm gas phase, it is now believed that they originate from the sublimation of ices. Sublimation is to change directly from a solid to a gas without becoming a liquid. Therefore, detecting COMs in ices makes astronomers hopeful about improved understanding of the origins of other, even larger molecules in space.<\/p>\n Scientists are also keen to explore to what extent these COMs are transported to planets at much later stages of protostellar evolution. COMs in cold ices are thought to be easier to transport from molecular clouds to planet-forming disks than warm, gaseous molecules. These icy COMs can therefore be incorporated into comets and asteroids, which in turn may collide with forming planets, delivering the ingredients for life to possibly flourish.<\/p>\n The science team also detected simpler molecules, including formic acid (which causes the burning sensation of an ant sting), methane, formaldehyde, and sulfur dioxide. Research suggests that sulfur-containing compounds like sulfur dioxide played an important role in driving metabolic reactions on the primitive Earth.<\/p>\n Of particular interest is that one of the sources investigated, IRAS 2A, is characterized as a low-mass protostar. IRAS 2A may therefore be similar to the early stages of our own solar system. As such, the chemicals identified around this protostar were likely present in the first stages of development of our solar system and later delivered to the primitive Earth.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of these molecules can become part of comets and asteroids and eventually new planetary systems when the icy material is transported inward to the planet-forming disk as the protostellar system evolves,\u201d said Ewine van Dishoeck of Leiden University, one of the coordinators of the science program. \u201cWe look forward to following this astrochemical trail step-by-step with more Webb data in the coming years.\u201d<\/p>\n These observations were made for the JOYS+ (James Webb Observations of Young ProtoStars) program. The team dedicated these results to team member Harold Linnartz, who unexpectedly passed away in December 2023, shortly after the acceptance of this paper.<\/p>\n This research has been accepted for publication in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.<\/a><\/p>\n The James Webb Space Telescope is the world\u2019s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency.<\/em><\/p>\n Right click the images in this article to open a larger version<\/strong> in a new tab\/window. Laura\u00a0Betz<\/strong> \u2013 laura.e.betz@nasa.gov<\/a>, Rob Gutro<\/strong> \u2013 rob.gutro@nasa.gov<\/a> Christine Pulliam<\/strong> \u2013 cpulliam@stsci.edu<\/a> Molecular Clouds<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Protostars<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Star Lifecycle<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n More Webb News<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/latestnews\/<\/p>\n More Webb Images<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/multimedia\/images\/<\/p>\n Webb Mission Page<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/<\/p>\n What is the Webb Telescope?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n SpacePlace for Kids<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Ciencia de la NASA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n NASA en espa\u00f1ol\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Space Place\u00a0para ni\u00f1os<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nImage A: Parallel Field to Protostar IRAS 23385 (MIRI Image)<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>What is the origin of complex organic molecules (COMs) ?<\/h2>\n
Image B: Complex Organic Molecules in IRAS 2A<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>Similar to the early stages of our own solar system?<\/h2>\n
Downloads<\/h2>\n
Download full resolution images for this article<\/a><\/strong> from the Space Telescope Science Institute.
This research has been accepted for publication in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.<\/a><\/p>\nMedia Contacts<\/h2>\n
NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a>, Greenbelt, Md.<\/p>\n
Space Telescope Science Institute<\/a>, Baltimore, Md.<\/p>\nRelated Information<\/h2>\n
Related For Kids<\/h2>\n
En Espa\u00f1ol<\/h2>\n
Related Topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n