BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Adam McKay, assistant professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, is the co-author of a new paper published in Nature Astronomy. The study, titled "Heterogeneous Outgassing Regions Identified on Active Centaur 29P/Schwassmann–Wachmann 1," provides the first detection of carbon dioxide in the centaur known as 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1.
According to Dr. McKay, centaurs are ice-rich bodies that orbit the Sun and are relics from the formation of the solar system. This makes studying them important for understanding the conditions present as the planets were forming, specifically the formation of ice and other material important for the development of life. Despite their importance, studies of centaurs have been limited due to their large distances from both the Sun and Earth, so relatively little is known about them.
McKay shared, "The centaur 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 is probably the best studied centaur to date, yet there are many aspects of this object that are not fully understood. Most notably, it undergoes outbursts in brightness and activity at irregular intervals that are not fully understood."
To study the centaur, McKay used data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). "The JWST has opened a new door in the study of centaurs, specifically allowing for detailed studies of water, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in these objects that were not possible previously," he explained.
The observations detailed in McKay's paper not only provide the first detection of carbon dioxide in this object, but also include images of several jets of material emanating from the object. These jets have differing relative amounts of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gas, suggesting that different parts of 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 have different compositions. These findings could provide invaluable clues to the centaur's shape and composition, how it formed and the reason for its outbursts.
McKay published the paper in collaboration with scientists from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center, University of Arizona, University of Central Florida, Auburn University, University of Maryland at College Park, the National Science Foundation and the Paris Observatory. The observations presented in the study are part of JWST Cycle 1 GO Program 2416, for which McKay is the principle investigator.
McKay earned his Ph.D. in Astronomy from New Mexico State University and joined the App State Department of Physics and Astronomy in Fall 2022. His research interests include comets, planet formation and planetary science. In 2023, McKay co-authored a paper published in Planetary Science Journal that provided the first detection of carbon dioxide in centaurs.
To read more, check out the following press releases:
Webb Space Telescope: webbtelescope.org/contents/news-releases/2024/news-2024-130
NASA: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/nasas-webb-reveals-unusual-jets-of-volatile-gas-from-icy-centaur-29p
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About the Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Department of Physics and Astronomy’s curriculum has an applied nature that includes a core of fundamental physics courses and laboratory experiences. The department prepares graduates for a variety of scientific, teaching or engineering professions, as well as future educational endeavors. Learn more at physics.appstate.edu.
By Dr. Adam McKay and Lauren Gibbs
October 8, 2024
BOONE, N.C.
Dr. Adam McKay, assistant professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy
Dr. Adam McKay, assistant professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy