Spitzer Finds Organics and Water Where New Planets May Grow

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This plot of infrared data shows the signatures of water vapor and simple organic molecules in the disk of gas and dust surrounding a young star. Credit: NASAJPL-CaltechNaval Research Laboratory
This plot of infrared data shows the signatures of water vapor and simple organic molecules in the disk of gas and dust surrounding a young star. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Naval Research Laboratory

Researchers using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope have discovered large amounts of simple organic gases and water vapor in a possible planet-forming region around an infant star, along with evidence that these molecules were created there. They've also found water in the same zone around two other young stars.


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