Unlocking the Mystery of Football-Shaped Molecules in the Universe
Have you ever heard of football-shaped molecules in the universe? Scientists have recently discovered that these molecules are not only found in the universe, but they are incredibly abundant! Although the molecular structure of these football-shaped molecules, known as fullerenes, has been known since the 1980s, it is only now that scientists are beginning to understand their abundance in space.
Fullerenes are made of carbon and are shaped like a football, with the addition of some other elements such as hydrogen or nitrogen. These molecules are formed when stars and supernovas explode, and they are incredibly strong and resistant to heat and pressure. Despite their unique and complex structure, they are incredibly abundant in the interstellar medium and may even influence the formation of new stars!
source: Phys.org