JWST Uncovers Enigmatic Secrets of the Dark Nebula in the Milky Way

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered an abundance of carbon monoxide (CO) ice inside a dense cloud in the Milky Way known as The Brick. This finding challenges our understanding of star formation in such clouds and suggests that the Central Molecular Zone, where The Brick is located, is rich in CO ice. The presence of CO ice indicates that star formation should be occurring, but it is not. Further investigations have revealed that The Brick is warmer on the inside compared to other similar clouds, and the amount of CO and the ratio of dust to gas in the galactic center have been underestimated. The team hopes that ongoing research will provide more insights into the chemistry and star formation processes within these clouds.