Webb Detects Unexpected Richness of Hydrocarbons in Obscured Core of Nearby Ultra-Luminous Galaxy

Feb 8, 2026 - 09:30
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Webb Detects Unexpected Richness of Hydrocarbons in Obscured Core of Nearby Ultra-Luminous Galaxy
Hydrocarbons play a key role in shaping the chemistry of the interstellar medium, but their enrichment and relation with carbonaceous grains and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons still lack clear observational constraints. García-Bernete et al. report on the Webb infrared observations of the local ultra-luminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) IRAS 07251-0248, which revealed the extragalactic detection of small gas-phase hydrocarbons. Image credit: García-Bernete et al., doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02750-0.

Astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have uncovered an unprecedented richness of small gas-phase hydrocarbons in the deeply obscured nucleus of the ultra-luminous infrared galaxy IRAS 07251-0248, which is located in the constellation of Monoceros.

The post Webb Detects Unexpected Richness of Hydrocarbons in Obscured Core of Nearby Ultra-Luminous Galaxy appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.

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