Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have discovered a rich array of small organic molecules in the galaxy IRAS 07251–0248, a nearby, ultra-luminous infrared galaxy.

The JWST’s infrared instruments, NIRSpec and MIRI, allowed researchers to peer through dense dust and gas that normally obscure the galaxy’s core.

They detected molecules including benzene, methane, acetylene, and the reactive methyl radical—never before seen beyond the Milky Way—along with carbon grains and water ice.

These molecules could serve as the building blocks for more complex organics, providing key insights into prebiotic chemistry and the origins of life, Space.com has reported.

The findings, published in Nature, suggest that galactic nuclei like IRAS 07251–0248 may act as chemical factories, highlighting JWST’s ability to reveal hidden regions of the universe.