The James Webb Telescope has once again displayed its power in uncovering the universe’s deepest and coldest ices. An international team of astronomers used the telescope to identify frozen forms of a variety of compounds, some of which may be essential components of planetary atmospheres and compounds. These compounds include methanol, the most complex organic molecule, as well as carbonyl sulphide, ammonia, and methane.

The discovery of these ices enables researchers to examine their potential role in the habitability of planets. For example, Melisa McClure, an astronomer at the Leiden Observatory, said “our results provide insights into the first, dark chemical stage of the production of ice on the interstellar dust grains that will evolve into the centimeter-sized pebbles from which planets form in discs.”

The James Webb Telescope also detected “prebiotic chemicals,” which are substances that promote the ideal environment for life’s origins. The telescope also detected the amount of sulfur that is present in frozen pre-stellar dust grains.

Overall, this survey of the ice materials found in the universe is one of the most thorough investigations and would not have been possible without the power of the James Webb Telescope. This telescope has once again solidified its place as the world’s most powerful telescope and its discoveries will be essential to our knowledge of the universe.