James Webb Telescope Uncovers Geothermal Activity in Dwarf Planets Eris and Makemake

The discovery challenges previous perceptions of the Kuiper Belt as a region of cold, dead worlds, hinting at potential habitable environments.

James Webb Space Telescope reveals geothermal activity within icy dwarf planets Eris and Makemake, suggesting potential for subsurface oceans.
Methane detected on surfaces of Eris and Makemake indicates warm or hot geochemistry in their rocky cores, challenging previous beliefs of cold, dead worlds.
The discovery points to the possibility of habitable environments in the Kuiper Belt, expanding the search for life in the solar system.
Scientists propose sending spacecraft to further explore Eris and Makemake, following the paradigm shift in understanding icy worlds.
The findings underscore the importance of internal processes in shaping large Kuiper Belt objects, consistent with observations at Pluto.