Editor’s note: many of the tools that are used in astronomy to conduct analyses of chemistry in space – astrochemistry – utilize technology that has had long-standing applications in a […]
fullerene
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release
In The Heart Of Planetary Nebula Tc 1, A Buckyball Of Buckyballs
Fullerene C60, the molecule that looks like a soccer ball, had already been identified in the planetary nebula Tc 1 by the Spitzer Space Telescope in 2010. Now a team […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Harnessing Cosmic Carbon: Anaerobic Microbial Responses To Fullerenes Under Early Earth Conditions
Fullerenes of extra-terrestrial origin may have been accessible as carbon sources for anaerobic microorganisms on the early Earth. Very little is known about how anaerobic microorganisms respond to and use […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Near Infrared Diffuse Interstellar Bands Characterized by Fullerene and Graphene Molecules
Astronomical near-infrared Diffuse-Interstellar-Bands (DIBs) were characterized by pure carbon Fullerene and Graphene molecules comparing with laboratory experiment and with Time-Dependent Density-Functional-Theory (TD-DFT) analysis.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Hydrogenated Amorphous Carbon Grains As An Alternative Carrier Of The 9−13μm Plateau Feature In The Fullerene Planetary Nebula Tc 1
Fullerenes have been observed in several astronomical objects since the discovery of C60 in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectrum of the planetary nebula (PN) Tc 1. It has been suggested that […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
An Ultraviolet Spectral Study Of Fullerene-rich Planetary Nebulae
Several planetary nebulae (PNe) have been found to contain both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH-like) species and fullerenes (C60) distinguished by their mid-infrared emission.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Impact events
Rethinking a Geologic Indicator for Impact Events
A new study brings into question the use of the molecule fullerene as a geologic indicator of impact events on ancient Earth. Fullerene is a form of carbon found in […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Top-down Formation of Fullerenes in the Interstellar Medium
Fullerenes have been recently detected in various circumstellar and interstellar environments, raising the question of their formation pathway. It has been proposed that they can form by the photo-chemical processing […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Impact events, Interstellar, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release
Researchers Discover Extraterrestrial Gases in Buckyballs
Extraterrestrial gases, including helium, are trapped in “buckyball” molecules in a layer of sedimentary clay found in many places on Earth, according to a paper to be published March 28, […]