Overview

• Scientists detected carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on Charon using the James Webb Space Telescope.
• The findings help fill gaps in our understanding of Charon's surface composition, previously limited to water ice, ammonia, and organic compounds.
• Carbon dioxide on Charon likely originates from below the surface, exposed by impact events revealing the moon's subsurface.
• The unexpected presence of hydrogen peroxide suggests active alteration of Charon's surface by ultraviolet light and cosmic rays.
• These discoveries offer valuable clues about the formation and evolution of icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt, enhancing our knowledge of the outer Solar System.