Astronomers from the Catholic University discovered in the interstellar medium the largest molecules in space

Scientists consider diffuse interplanetary medium as the starting point of formation for chemical

processes that ultimately lead to the emergence of planets. Therefore, the identification of the contents of this space will allow astronomers to better understand the process of the formation of cosmic years.

The molecules discovered by astronomers area form of carbon called bacminsterfullerene, also known as fullerene. These are molecules consisting of 60 carbon atoms, which are located in the form of a sphere. This form of carbon is rarely found on earth in rocks and minerals.

Buckminsterfullerene was previously discovered in space, but this is the first time that molecules have been found in interstellar space. Also, they have never been observed in a charged form.

Until now, interstellar space has been consideredtoo harsh and unreliable environment for the emergence of a significant number of large molecules. Before the discovery of C 60, the largest known molecules in space were only 12 atoms in size.

Martin Kordiner, US Catholic University

Earlier, the Hubble telescope photographed a flashstar formation in the galaxy ESO 495-21, which in all respects corresponds to the first galaxies in the Universe. Observations will allow to understand how supermassive black holes were formed in the early Universe.