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Fullerenes in space.

P Ehrenfreund1, B H Foing

  • 1Leiden Observatory, RA Leiden, The Netherlands.

Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|January 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Fullerenes, large molecules, have been detected in space, potentially explaining diffuse interstellar bands. This discovery suggests fullerenes play a key role in interstellar chemistry.

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Area of Science:

  • Astrochemistry
  • Astrophysics
  • Space Science

Background:

  • Fullerenes, discovered and synthesized, were hypothesized to exist in interstellar space.
  • Previous searches in meteorites yielded limited results, while fullerenes were found in LDEF spacecraft impact craters.
  • Fullerene compounds and ions are potential carriers for diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs), an astronomical mystery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and role of fullerenes in interstellar space.
  • To identify carrier molecules for diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs).
  • To present evidence for the largest molecules detected in space.

Main Methods:

  • Detection of new diffuse bands in astronomical observations.
  • Comparison of observed bands with laboratory measurements of fullerene compounds (C60+).
  • Analysis of DIB substructures and search for neutral C60.

Main Results:

  • Two new diffuse bands were detected, consistent with laboratory measurements of C60+.
  • This provides the first evidence for C60+ as the largest molecule detected in space.
  • Inferred abundance suggests up to 0.9% of cosmic carbon may be in C60+.

Conclusions:

  • Fullerenes, particularly C60+, are likely present and significant in interstellar environments.
  • Fullerenes may play a crucial role in interstellar chemistry.
  • Further observations are needed to confirm the presence of neutral C60 and fully elucidate the role of fullerenes in DIBs.

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