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Water in Protoplanetary Disk of PDS 70 (MIRI Emission Spectrum)

Graphic titled “PDS 70 Inner Disk; Emission Spectrum.” The graphic shows a spectrum in the form of a graph of the Brightness of Light on the vertical y-axis versus Wavelength of Light in microns on the horizontal x-axis.

A spectrum of the protoplanetary disk of PDS 70, obtained with Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument), displays a number of emission lines from water vapor. Scientists determined that the water is in the system’s inner disk, at distances of less than 100 million miles from the star – the region where rocky, terrestrial planets may be forming.

Extended Description and Image Alt Text

Extended Description

Graphic titled “PDS 70 Inner Disk; Emission Spectrum.” The graphic shows a spectrum in the form of a graph of the Brightness of Light on the vertical y-axis versus Wavelength of Light in microns on the horizontal x-axis.

Graph

Axes

The y-axis showing relative brightness ranges from dimmer (less light) at the bottom to brighter (more light) at the top. There are no labeled tick marks. 

The x-axis ranges from 6.8 microns on the left to 7.3 microns on the right, with labeled tick marks every 0.1 microns. 

Data

The spectrum is plotted as a relatively flat, continuous white line with a series of about two dozen narrow peaks. Overlaid on the white line is a blue line with narrow peaks that match the white ones. A key shows a white line labeled “Webb data” and a blue line labeled “Water model.”

Image Alt Text

Graphic titled “PDS 70 Inner Disk; Emission Spectrum.” The graphic shows a spectrum in the form of a graph of the Brightness of Light on the vertical y-axis versus Wavelength of Light in microns on the horizontal x-axis.

About the Object

  • Constellation
    ConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.
    Centaurus
  • Object Name
    Object NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.
    PDS 70
  • Release Date
    July 24, 2023
  • Science Release
    Webb Detects Water Vapor in Rocky Planet-forming Zone
    Read the release
  • Credit
    Illustration: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)

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Related Images & Videos

Left of center, a bright light source illuminates a surrounding disk colored dusky red. The disk is tilted from upper left to lower right, and has spiral features that are most prominent near the star. Small, rocky objects are scattered throughout the inner disk. At upper right, there is a gap through which background stars can be seen. At the outer edge of this gap is a dusky globe representing a gas giant planet. Beyond it, in the top right corner, is additional outer disk material, some of which is falling onto the planet.

PDS 70 Inner Disk (Artist Concept)

This artist concept portrays the star PDS 70 and its inner protoplanetary disk . New measurements by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have detected water vapor at distances of less than 100 million miles from the star – the region where rocky, terrestrial planets may be...

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Details

Last Updated
Aug 28, 2025
Contact
Media

Laura Betz
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
laura.e.betz@nasa.gov

Illustration Credit

NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)

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