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Phosphine Discovery in Wolf 1130C Puzzles Astronomers

10/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope detected phosphine in Wolf 1130C, 54 light-years away.
The phosphine concentration is 100 parts per billion, higher than in earlier observations.
Researchers are puzzled why Wolf 1130C harbors phosphine while other brown dwarfs do not.
The team suggests Wolf 1130B may generate phosphorus via nuclear reactions, hinting at Milky Way phosphorus synthesis.

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Story summary

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope detected phosphine in Wolf 1130C, 54 light-years away.
The phosphine concentration is 100 parts per billion, higher than in earlier observations.
Researchers are puzzled why Wolf 1130C harbors phosphine while other brown dwarfs do not.
The team suggests Wolf 1130B may generate phosphorus via nuclear reactions, hinting at Milky Way phosphorus synthesis.