A Puzzle in Planet Formation

In a groundbreaking revelation, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has uncovered a peculiar planet-forming disk brimming with carbon dioxide, startling scientists who expected to find water in the regions where Earth-like planets might emerge. This unexpected finding is shaking up our understanding of planetary formation!

The Surprising Composition of NGC 6357

Typically, planet-forming disks are rife with water, serving as the building blocks for new planets. However, Jenny Frediani, a doctoral researcher from Stockholm University and the lead author of the study, revealed that water is so scarce in the star system located 8,000 light-years from Earth that it’s barely even detectable. These revelations were detailed in a study published on August 29 in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Challenging Established Theories