Discovery of life-like chemistry on Charon, Pluto's moon

Charon, Pluto's largest moon, has become the focal point of a major discovery. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers have identified the presence of carbon dioxide on its surface. This finding raises intriguing questions about the history of our solar system.

Charon is about 680 miles (1,100 km) in diameter and was discovered in 1978. However, its surface was only analyzed in detail in 2015, thanks to NASA's New Horizons mission, which revealed a world covered in ice.


The recent discovery of carbon dioxide is remarkable. This gas, essential for life on Earth, could indicate that similar processes have occurred on Charon. Moreover, this moon has long been regarded as a key object for studying the Kuiper Belt.

The detection of CO2 is not insignificant. Researchers have long sought to understand how these elements formed in this distant region. Silvia Protopapa, lead author of the study, notes that Charon's surface could be a mixture of water ice and carbon dioxide ice.

Another chemical element has been detected on Charon: hydrogen peroxide. Used on Earth as a disinfectant due to its antibacterial properties, its presence on this moon could suggest that its surface is being altered by external factors.

In particular, ultraviolet rays from the Sun, capable of triggering chemical transformations, as well as solar winds carrying charged particles, could be modifying Charon's composition. These factors signify a dynamic interaction between the space environment and the surface of this icy moon.


These discoveries provide new insights into the understanding of icy bodies in the solar system. Researchers consider Charon as a window into the evolution of distant worlds. Observations from the James Webb Telescope also shed light on the formation conditions of objects in the Kuiper Belt. If these findings are confirmed, they could redefine our understanding of the origin of celestial bodies.

What is hydrogen peroxide and what is its role in the space environment?

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a chemical compound made up of two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms. On Earth, it is commonly used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent due to its antibacterial and oxidative properties. In an extraterrestrial context, its detection on celestial bodies such as Charon indicates complex chemical processes.

In space, hydrogen peroxide can form as a result of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet rays and energetic particles from solar wind. These external factors can induce transformations in both organic and inorganic matter on the surfaces of moons and planets.

The presence of hydrogen peroxide on Charon thus suggests a dynamic, evolving surface, exposed to environmental influences that may impact its chemical composition and geological history.

What is carbon dioxide and why is it important in the study of celestial bodies?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. On Earth, it plays a crucial role in the cycle of life as a byproduct of the respiration of living organisms and as a key component in the greenhouse effect, which regulates our planet's temperature.

In astrophysical studies, the detection of CO2 on other celestial bodies, such as Charon, has significant implications for our understanding of environmental conditions and geological processes on these distant worlds.

The presence of carbon dioxide on Kuiper Belt objects, such as Charon, may indicate a complex history of formation and evolution. This gas is often associated with biological processes on Earth, but its detection in cold and distant environments also suggests alternative chemical mechanisms, potentially linked to materials from the protoplanetary disk that gave rise to our solar system.

Thus, studying carbon dioxide on Charon and other celestial bodies can provide clues about planetary formation, as well as the conditions that prevailed in the early solar system.