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Unidentified Absorption Feature Found in JWST Spectra of Titan and Pluto
Astronomers detected a shared absorption feature on the surfaces of both bodies that matches no known molecule. The Independent reported the finding from an arXiv preprint and noted plans for further observations and the Dragonfly mission.
Jul 21, 7:02 AM·1m read1 source
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Astronomers detected an unidentified absorption feature in James Webb Space Telescope spectra of both Titan and Pluto, The Independent reported. The feature appears in data sets for each body and is produced by an unknown molecule present on their surfaces. No previously published absorption band matches the observed feature.
Researchers listed possible candidate molecules including allenes, benzene mixed with other species, ketene, or less likely acetylene. Data indicate the molecule occurs on the surfaces of Titan and Pluto but not in their atmospheres. Both bodies share methane-nitrogen surface environments.
Titan is Saturn’s largest moon and one of the few Solar-System objects with stable surface liquid. Pluto is a frozen dwarf planet roughly half Titan’s size and located at the outer edge of the Solar System. Researchers intend to use additional JWST observations to map where the absorption feature is strongest on Titan.
NASA’s Dragonfly spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at Titan in the mid-2030s and will perform in-situ surface-composition studies.
