Webb Solves Jupiter-Saturn Mystery

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NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has cracked a decades-old mystery about Jupiter and Saturn by discovering silane in an ancient brown dwarf called “The Accident”.

Story Highlights

JWST detected silane molecule in brown dwarf “The Accident,” solving Jupiter-Saturn atmospheric mystery
Discovery made possible by citizen scientist through NASA’s Backyard Worlds project in 2020
Ancient brown dwarf’s oxygen-poor atmosphere allowed silicon-hydrogen bonding impossible in modern gas giants
Breakthrough validates theoretical predictions and opens new research into planetary atmospheric evolution

Citizen Science Powers Major Discovery

The Accident earned its nickname through an extraordinary citizen science discovery in 2020. A volunteer participating in NASA’s Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 project spotted this unusual brown dwarf located 50 light-years from Earth. This demonstrates how everyday Americans can contribute to scientific advancement when given proper tools and opportunities. The brown dwarf’s age of 10-13 billion years makes it one of the oldest known objects of its type, formed when the universe contained far less oxygen than today.

George McInerney finds this interesting 👍 NASA’s celestial “Accident” unlocks secrets of Jupiter and Saturn https://t.co/nrUYTjUxdm

— George McInerney (@gmcinerney) September 11, 2025

Webb Telescope Solves Atmospheric Chemistry Puzzle

Astronomers led by Jacqueline Faherty from the American Museum of Natural History used JWST’s advanced infrared capabilities to detect silane in The Accident’s atmosphere. Previous missions including Galileo and Cassini failed to find this silicon-hydrogen molecule in Jupiter and Saturn, leading scientists to theorize it was locked in deep atmospheric layers. Michael Line from Arizona State University confirmed that only silane consistently matched the specific spectral features observed in Webb’s data, ending decades of unsuccessful searches.

The detection validates long-standing theoretical predictions about planetary chemistry. Scientists had expected silane to exist in gas giant atmospheres but couldn’t explain its absence in Jupiter and Saturn. The Accident’s primordial composition, formed when the early universe lacked abundant oxygen, allowed silicon to bond with hydrogen instead of being tied up in oxygen compounds that characterize modern planetary atmospheres.

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Ancient Atmosphere Reveals Planetary Evolution

The Accident’s oxygen-poor atmosphere provides a window into conditions that existed billions of years ago. When this brown dwarf formed, the universe was dominated by hydrogen and helium, with heavier elements like oxygen becoming abundant only after generations of star formation. This unique chemistry allowed processes impossible in contemporary gas giants, where oxygen readily binds with silicon to form compounds that sink deep into planetary interiors.

Jonathan Gagné from Université de Montréal called the finding a “remarkable discovery” that opens new research avenues. The breakthrough demonstrates how extreme objects help scientists understand average planetary processes, as Faherty noted. This approach could guide future investigations of other ancient brown dwarfs and provide insights into the chemical evolution of planetary atmospheres throughout cosmic history.