JWST uncovers extraordinary chemistry in planetary nurseries

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is revolutionizing our understanding of planetary formation by revealing the delivery of water to rocky planets in protoplanetary disks and uncovering exotic chemistry in these planetary nurseries. JWST's observations have shown that icy pebbles can drift inward from the outer part of the disk, releasing water into the inner disk and providing a raw ingredient for planet formation. Additionally, the telescope has detected a high amount of carbon in the protoplanetary disk surrounding a small star, suggesting the potential for diverse chemistry in the formation of rocky planets. JWST has also captured images of a debris disk around Beta Pictoris, revealing a filament of dust known as the "cat's tail," which is likely the result of a massive collision in the disk. These discoveries highlight the power of JWST in uncovering new insights into the formation of planets.