Chemical Discoveries
The detected carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on 's surface, expanding the moon's known compositional inventory beyond water ice, ammonia, and organic materials.
These findings suggest hydrogen peroxide may result from radiation interacting with water molecules, while carbon dioxide could be expelled to the surface after impact events.
Scientific Implications
This research, published in , provides crucial clues about Charon's formation and the processes affecting its surface, like sunlight exposure and cratering.
The study enhances our understanding of icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt, offering insights into the makeup of other distant moons and planets.