Webb detects smoke in space, but not from "fire" of a new star forming

New Delhi, Jun 7 (PTI) In a galaxy over 12 billion light-years away, astronomers have detected complex organic molecules, or molecules having a carbon basis, using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.

Webb's data found the distinct signature of these large organic molecules to be similar to those known on Earth to be in smoke, soot and smog, found in cancer-causing hydrocarbon emissions contributing to atmospheric pollution, the international team of scientists said in a study.

Justin Spilker, a Texas A&M University (US) astronomer, said that the implications of galactic smoke signals, referring to the carbon-based molecules, were much less disastrous for their cosmic ecosystems.