Astronomers have long wondered about the presence of crystalline silicates in comets at the edges of our solar system. These crystals need high heat to form, yet comets, often referred to as “dirty snowballs,” exist in the cold regions of the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has recently provided some answers, showing how these crystals can form. It revealed that the hot inner part of the gas and dust disk around a young star is where crystallization happens. These crystals can then be pushed outward, potentially reaching regions where comets might form.
The star in question, known as EC 53, is surrounded by a disk of gas and dust exhibiting powerful outflows. These outflows may be transporting newly formed crystals to colder areas of the disk. Jeong-Eun Lee, a lead researcher and professor, describes this process as a “cosmic highway,” highlighting how Webb has clarified the types of silicates present and their movements.
Using its Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), the telescope collected detailed spectra to identify specific elements and their structures. It’s like tracing the origins of these materials at different stages—when EC 53 is calm and during its more dynamic outbursts. Remarkably, EC 53 has a predictable cycle, bursting roughly every 18 months. During these events, the star intensively consumes gas and dust, ejecting some of it as powerful jets. This activity may propel the crystals to the edges of its disk.
Doug Johnstone, a co-author and a principal research officer, mentions that specific silicates found, such as forsterite and enstatite, are also common on Earth. This research adds to decades of findings that identified silicates not just in our solar system but also in distant star systems, without fully understanding their journey to comets.
Joel Green, another co-author, emphasizes the significance of Webb’s findings. The telescope not only shows the distribution of these crystals but also the jets of hot gas surrounding the star. This clarity is helping scientists understand how tiny particles, much smaller than sand grains, are created and spread throughout a stellar system.
In EC 53, a dusty phase may last for up to another 100,000 years. Over millions of years, collisions among particles in the disk will gradually form larger rocks. Eventually, this can lead to the creation of planets. As the disk clears, a Sun-like star will be left at the center, with crystalline silicates spread throughout the system.
Interestingly, the Serpens Nebula, where EC 53 is located, lies about 1,300 light-years from Earth. It is a vibrant area filled with stars in various stages of formation. This makes it an exciting place for ongoing research.
The James Webb Space Telescope stands as a key tool in unraveling the mysteries of our universe. By investigating everything from our solar system to distant galaxies, it’s paving the way for future discoveries. Its international collaboration involves NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency, making significant strides in space science.
For more about the James Webb Space Telescope, check out NASA’s official website.
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Astrophysics, Goddard Space Flight Center, James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Protostars, Science & Research, Stars, The Universe
