Detection of C-60 and C-70 in a Young Planetary Nebula

作者:Cami Jan*; Bernard Salas Jeronimo; Peeters Els; Malek Sarah Elizabeth
来源:Science, 2010, 329(5996): 1180-1182.
DOI:10.1126/science.1192035

摘要

In recent decades, a number of molecules and diverse dust features have been identified by astronomical observations in various environments. Most of the dust that determines the physical and chemical characteristics of the interstellar medium is formed in the outflows of asymptotic giant branch stars and is further processed when these objects become planetary nebulae. We studied the environment of Tc 1, a peculiar planetary nebula whose infrared spectrum shows emission from cold and neutral C-60 and C-70. The two molecules amount to a few percent of the available cosmic carbon in this region. This finding indicates that if the conditions are right, fullerenes can and do form efficiently in space.

  • 出版日期2010-9-3