Researchers observe formation of moons for the first time

(CONNECT) A team of scientists from the University of Zurich(UZH) and the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington have investigated a carbon-rich disk that may contain the building materials for the formation of moons, according to a press release. This potentially moon-forming disk was discovered by the James Webb Space Telescope. It surrounds the exoplanet CT Chamaleontis b, which is 625 light years away from Earth. There are no moons there. 

The young star that the planet orbits is only 2 million years old and is still accumulating material that surrounds it. The two objects are 46 billion miles apart.

"We can see evidence of the disk around the companion and study its chemistry for the first time. We are witnessing not only the formation of the moon, but also the formation of this planet," says co-author Sierra Grant from Carnegie Science. Lead author Gabriele Cugno from UZH and member of the National Center of Competence in Research PlanetS of the Swiss National Science Foundation adds: "We can see what material accumulates to form the planet and the moons." These results were published on September 29 in "The Astrophysical Journal Letters".

Our solar system contains eight main planets and more than 400 moons orbiting six of them. Large moons such as Jupiter's four largest so-called Galilean moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto were formed from dust and gas around the planet over 4 billion years ago. Forensic data on this is scarce. Some moons in the universe could be habitats for biological life.

Science is only now entering an era in which it can observe the formation of moons for the first time, according to UZH. Webb's data is invaluable because it can be used to make comparisons with the formation of our solar system over 4 billion years ago.

In the coming year, the team will carry out a comprehensive investigation of similar objects with the James Webb Space Telescope. The aim is to better understand the diversity of physical and chemical properties in the disks around young planets. ce/mm