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Detection of carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on the stratified surface of Charon with JWST

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia Protopapa

    (Southwest Research Institute)

  • Ujjwal Raut

    (Southwest Research Institute
    University of Texas at San Antonio)

  • Ian Wong

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
    American University
    Space Telescope Science Institute)

  • John Stansberry

    (Space Telescope Science Institute
    Lowell Observatory
    Northern Arizona University)

  • Geronimo L. Villanueva

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

  • Jason Cook

    (Pinhead Institute)

  • Bryan Holler

    (Space Telescope Science Institute)

  • William M. Grundy

    (Lowell Observatory
    Northern Arizona University)

  • Rosario Brunetto

    (Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale)

  • Richard J. Cartwright

    (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory)

  • Bereket Mamo

    (Southwest Research Institute
    University of Texas at San Antonio)

  • Joshua P. Emery

    (Northern Arizona University)

  • Alex H. Parker

    (SETI Institute)

  • Aurelie Guilbert-Lepoutre

    (Université Lyon 1, ENS)

  • Noemi Pinilla-Alonso

    (University of Central Florida)

  • Stefanie N. Milam

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

  • Heidi B. Hammel

    (Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy)

Abstract

Charon, Pluto’s largest moon, has been extensively studied, with research focusing on its primitive composition and changes due to radiation and photolysis. However, spectral data have so far been limited to wavelengths below 2.5 μm, leaving key aspects unresolved. Here we present the detection of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the surface of Charon’s northern hemisphere, using JWST data. These detections add to the known chemical inventory that includes crystalline water ice, ammonia-bearing species, and tholin-like darkening constituents previously revealed by ground- and space-based observations. The H2O2 presence indicates active radiolytic/photolytic processing of the water ice-rich surface by solar ultraviolet and interplanetary medium Lyman-α photons, solar wind, and galactic cosmic rays. Through spectral modeling of the surface, we show that the CO2 is present in pure crystalline form and, possibly, in intimately mixed states on the surface. Endogenically sourced subsurface CO2 exposed on the surface is likely the primary source of this component, with possible contributions from irradiation of hydrocarbons mixed with water ice, interfacial radiolysis between carbon deposits and water ice, and the implantation of energetic carbon ions from the solar wind and solar energetic particles.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Protopapa & Ujjwal Raut & Ian Wong & John Stansberry & Geronimo L. Villanueva & Jason Cook & Bryan Holler & William M. Grundy & Rosario Brunetto & Richard J. Cartwright & Bereket Mamo & Joshua , 2024. "Detection of carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on the stratified surface of Charon with JWST," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-51826-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51826-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. W. M. Grundy & D. P. Cruikshank & G. R. Gladstone & C. J. A. Howett & T. R. Lauer & J. R. Spencer & M. E. Summers & M. W. Buie & A. M. Earle & K. Ennico & J. Wm. Parker & S. B. Porter & K. N. Singer &, 2016. "The formation of Charon’s red poles from seasonally cold-trapped volatiles," Nature, Nature, vol. 539(7627), pages 65-68, November.
    2. M. C. De Sanctis & A. Raponi & E. Ammannito & M. Ciarniello & M. J. Toplis & H. Y. McSween & J. C. Castillo-Rogez & B. L. Ehlmann & F. G. Carrozzo & S. Marchi & F. Tosi & F. Zambon & F. Capaccioni & M, 2016. "Bright carbonate deposits as evidence of aqueous alteration on (1) Ceres," Nature, Nature, vol. 536(7614), pages 54-57, August.
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