The James Webb Telescope detects water around a comet in the main asteroid belt

The James Webb Space Telescope made its second breakthrough observation in as many weeks. The researchers used the lab’s near-infrared camera to detect The first known occurrence of water vapor around a comet in the main asteroid belt, also known as a main belt comet. Scientists thought that comets could preserve water ice so close to the Sun, but until now there was no conclusive evidence. They typically expect comets to sit in the Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud, both far from the Sun where ice persists.

However, the findings have created a new puzzle. Carbon dioxide typically represents about 10 percent of the volatiles in a comet, and Webb’s instruments detected none in Reed. The research team speculates that the CO2 dissipated over billions of years or that the reed formed in a relatively cold part of the solar system where CO2 was not present.

Reed was one of the first bodies used to establish the main belt comet category. The Webb Telescope is the first powerful instrument to study these comets in detail.

Further observations will be needed to understand whether the lack of reed CO2 is shared by a fluke or other main belt comets. Whether it is or not, team member Stephanie Milam suggests that a sample collection mission would be helpful in learning more about such comets. It’s certainly more practical than other journeys—the Kuiper Belt starts roughly at the edge of Neptune’s orbit, while the Oort Cloud is roughly two light-years away.

See also  Credit Suisse shares fell 5% on 'material weaknesses' in financial reporting

JP Morgan expects to cut the base rate by 100 basis points this year

At the start of the month Wall Street was hopeful—but not convinced—that it would get a much-anticipated interest rate cut in September. Fed Chairman Jerome...

There are great players and potential matches

NFL Guardian Here's what we know about Caps right nowGuardian caps provide added protection over the helmets of players in inherently violent sports. Are...

Nasdaq falls as investors put their time ahead of Nvidia earnings

Shares of Coles ( KSS ) rose as much as 7% in early trading after the company beat Wall Street's revenue expectations by 15...

Dinosaur footprints found on two continents match

The video shows a large dinosaur with identical green bonesThe 150-million-year-old bones discovered in Utah will go on display at the Natural History Museum...

HMD’s Barbie Flip Phone is tough

HMD's Barbie-branded flip phone may be a bit late to catch the hot foldable summer wave, but it's certainly not lacking in appeal. Pre-announced...

Mark Zuckerberg says White House pressured Facebook to censor Covid-19 content | Meta

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has said he is bowing to what he says is pressure from the US government to censor Facebook and Instagram...