The discovery of a molecule, long sought after by scientists and finally found by the James Webb Space Telescope, may help us better understand the formation of planetary systems in the universe.
The Science Weekend ticketwith Mathilde Fontez, editor-in-chief of the magazine Epsiloon to talk today about the discovery of a molecule that has never been seen in space.
franceinfo: Can you present this molecule to us?
Mathilde Fontez: It is a very simple small molecule, it is not impressive, much larger molecules have been discovered in space: one carbon atom, three hydrogen atoms plus a positive charge – it is called Methyl Cation. Very small therefore, commonplace on Earth, but it was a kind of holy grail for astrophysicists.
Since the 1970s, this molecule has been suspected of being the starting point of all the chemistry of the interstellar medium: it is from these 4 atoms that all the complex molecules, alcohols, hydrocarbons, etc. are formed. This organic chemistry which on Earth has shaped life. Except that until then, we had never seen it in space.
And there it is: by observing with the JWST telescope, a team of around fifty astronomers led by Olivier Berné at the Institute for Research in Astrophysics and Planetology in Toulouse managed to see it, in a disk of dust and gas around a very young star. If all goes well, this disc will form planets in a few tens of millions of years.
Will this molecule help to better understand how planetary systems are formed?
It will take years to digest the discovery, but yes, it is very promising. In recent decades, specialists in the formation of planetary systems have focused on grains: how chemical reactions occur on the surface of dust, how they aggregate, until they form large balls, the planets.
With this molecule, a gaseous pathway opens up to tell the story of the birth of solar systems. Another recipe for making planets. It is also perhaps a more universal way: this disk in which the Methyl Cation was found is very agitated, it is heated to 1000 degrees, it is bombarded with a wind of UV rays. These extreme conditions are very common in the universe. Stars are born in groups, they emit radiation that radiates throughout their nebula.
Perhaps, for example, this discovery will lead to a review of the birth statistics of planets around stars? Because this new chemical recipe could be less prolific in planets.
To go further (article in English): Nature.com