NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has made groundbreaking discoveries on Charon, Pluto's largest moon, detecting both carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on its surface.

The research indicates that carbon dioxide primarily exists as a surface veneer over a water-ice-rich subsurface, providing new insights into Charon's complex surface composition.

The formation of hydrogen peroxide on Charon is believed to be influenced by ultraviolet radiation from the Sun and high-energy particles from solar wind and cosmic radiation.

Charon's surface is not obscured by volatile ices, allowing scientists to study geological processes such as sunlight exposure and cratering.

These findings contribute to a better understanding of the chemical composition of Charon and the evolution of icy worlds in the Kuiper Belt.

Previous research, including observations from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft in 2015, indicated that Charon's surface was primarily composed of water ice.

The Webb telescope's ability to observe different infrared wavelengths allowed scientists to identify previously undetected chemicals on Charon.

The research team, led by Silvia Protopapa from the Southwest Research Institute, utilized Webb's Near-Infrared Spectrograph to fill gaps in understanding Charon's surface composition.

The study's findings were published in the journal Nature Communications, emphasizing the chemical diversity and evolutionary processes on Charon.

This new detection is important for understanding the formation of Charon and could provide insights into the composition of other distant celestial bodies.

The advanced capabilities of the Webb telescope highlight its role in uncovering complex surface signatures on celestial bodies.

The presence of CO2 on Charon raises questions about its existence in Kuiper Belt objects and its implications for life.