Fluorescence

A team of researchers used observations from the Webb Space Telescope (in white) to detect methane gas at Make-Make. Sharp emission peaks near 3.3 microns reveal methane in a gaseous state above the surface of Make-Make. A continuum model (in light blue) has been added for comparison. Gas emission peaks are identified where the observed spectrum rises above the continuum. An artist's impression of the surface of Make-Make is shown in the background. Credit: Courtesy of S. Protopapa, I. Wong/SwRI/STScI/NASA/ESA/CSA

Webb Telescope Discovers Gas for the First Time on Distant Dwarf Planet Makemake

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The discovery makes Make-Make only the second trans-Neptunian body, after Pluto, to have gas detected. The researchers suggest that it may have a thin atmosphere or be geologically active.
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