Graphene Detected Outside The Milky Way?
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Recent observations by astronomers using the Spitzer Space Telescope shows evidence of graphene molecules outside our Galaxy. In addition to graphene, The chemical signatures for Carbon-70 have also been found. One (of many) reasons the discovery is interesting to scientists is that graphene was first synthesized in laboratories less than a decade ago in 2004.
An artist's concept of graphene, buckyballs and C70 superimposed on an image of the Helix planetary nebula. Image credit: IAC/NASA/NOAO/ESA/STScI/NRAO
The research team, led by Domingo Aníbal García-Hernández of the Instituto deAstrofísica de Canarias in Spain is based at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson, Arizona. The team’s research will also be published in the Astrophyscial Journal Letters.
Spitzer detected the signatures of graphene in planetary nebulae located in both the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds, which are “satellite” galaxies to our own Milky Way. The Spitzer Space Telescope, which views in the infra-red also detected Carbon-70, the first discovery of C70 outside our galaxy. Spitzer had previously discovered carbon molecules last July, proving that complex molecules can form in hydrogen-rich regions in deep space. Current theories state that fullerenes may form through the interactions of shock waves from dying stars with carbon grains that contain hydrogen.
Since life on Earth is carbon-based, a greater understanding of chemical reactions involving carbon in space may give scientists a better understanding of how life on Earth developed. The carbon molecules detected are members of the fullerene family. Buckyballs have 60 carbon atoms, and are similar in shape to a soccer ball. C70 is slightly oblong, due to the extra ten carbon atoms it has over C60.
What make C60 “buckyballs” so attractive to scientists is their ability to “trap” other molecules inside their spherical structure. Since fullerenes have been found in meteorites with gasses trapped inside their structure, some researchers believe that it’s possible fullerenes helped transport materials to Earth.
You can read more about the discovery at: http://www.noao.edu/news/2011/pr1103.php.
If you’d like to learn more about the Spitzer Space Telescope, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/spitzer
Source: NASA/JPL – Spitzer Space Telescope Mission News
Ray Sanders is a Sci-Fi geek, astronomer and blogger. Currently researching variable stars at Arizona State University, he writes for Universe Today, The Planetary Society blog, and his own blog, Dear Astronomer
2012-12-04 08:06:33
Source: http://www.dearastronomer.com/2011/08/16/graphene-detected-outside-the-milky-way/
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