Distant Galaxy Has Similar Icy Dust to the Milky Way. So, Similar Planets?

For most of us, dust is just something we have to clean up. For astronomers, interstellar dust is a hindrance when they want to study distant objects. However, recent James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations of a distant galaxy are changing that. This infrared-sensitive observatory is letting them find a way to use dust to understand the evolution of early galaxies. In addition, it uncovered a special property of that galaxy's ice-covered dust, indicating it could be similar to the materials that formed our Solar System.

Jun 13, 2025 - 00:50

Distant Galaxy Has Similar Icy Dust to the Milky Way. So, Similar Planets?

A dust cloud near Cassiopeia A reflects light from a nearby supernova. Dust clouds throughout galaxies reflect, absorb, and re-emit light in the infrared, making JWST's MIRI infrared-sensitive instrument a good way to study the dust. Courtesy NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Jacob Jencson (Caltech/IPAC)

For most of us, dust is just something we have to clean up. For astronomers, interstellar dust is a hindrance when they want to study distant objects. However, recent James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations of a distant galaxy are changing that. This infrared-sensitive observatory is letting them find a way to use dust to understand the evolution of early galaxies. In addition, it uncovered a special property of that galaxy's ice-covered dust, indicating it could be similar to the materials that formed our Solar System.