One of the most important molecules in the Universe has been hiding its light for decades.
It's the foundation for almost all gas-phase interstellar chemistry – including the formation of complex organic molecules that make up the ingredients for life.
Its name is the trihydrogen cation (H3+), and it's so important that it's often referred to as "the molecule that made the Universe."
It's been detected lurking in interstellar clouds and is partially responsible for Jupiter's auroral glow – but a particular kind of light it should emit as it rotates, predicted since 1986, has eluded every search – including attempts to observe it in laboratory settings.
Now, using the the JWST, a team of astronomers led by David Neufeld of Johns Hopkins University has finally detected that elusive light, shining from gas thousands of light-years away.
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