Buckyballs Detected In Space 117
Rhodin writes "Fullerenes, also known as buckminsterfullerenes or 'buckyballs,' were detected about 6,500 light years from Earth in the cosmic dust of Tc 1 (PDF; abstract), an object known as a planetary nebula. 'We found what are now the largest molecules known to exist in space,' said astronomer Jan Cami of the University of Western Ontario, Canada, and the SETI Institute in Mountain View, Calif. 'We are particularly excited because they have unique properties that make them important players for all sorts of physical and chemical processes going on in space.'"
(More, below.)
These results hark directly back to the experiments that originally identified Buckminsterfullerene, which mimicked the outer atmospheric chemistry of red giant carbon stars. Harry Kroto, who jointly won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1996, is excited by the findings' clarity. 'The spectrum is incredibly convincing,' the Florida State University academic said. 'I thought I would never be as convinced as I am. The fact that the four lines are there, and C70 is there, is just unbelievable. It's a spectacular paper.'"
Re:Cool (Score:5, Funny)
Somewhere out there is an underfunded galaxy filled with old computers that I can't get permission to throw out?
Re:hope they won't find... (Score:5, Funny)
At least in space, nobody will be able to hear your vuvuzela.
Think GeeK? (Score:1, Funny)
Doesn't thinkgeek sell these?
What? No Spaceballs jokes or references? (Score:5, Funny)
Am I really that old?! Oh well...
May da schwartz be witcha.
Re:No (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Cool (Score:5, Funny)
Candle flame is loaded with Buckminsterfullerene. These molecules have been right under our noses for that long.
Perhaps a more scientific method of detection than "sniffing fire" would have had better results earlier on.
Re:hope they won't find... (Score:4, Funny)
it's just the farting of the Time Lords
Natural Buckyballs (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Cool (Score:2, Funny)
Candle flame is loaded with Buckminsterfullerene. These molecules have been right under our noses for that long.
You're telling me there's a bunch of aliens out there with candles? Shit, break out the nukes.
Deep space, the new frontier... (Score:3, Funny)
...for patent attorneys! Now they can start arguing if alien prior art exists about methods for synthetizing fullerene, thus voiding several patents. A good excuse for skyrocketing their bills.
Re:Cool (Score:5, Funny)
No, no, you have permission. Go ahead.
Re:Cool (Score:4, Funny)
Mr I. M. Atwit, lead council for Dewy, Suck'em, and Dry Corp headquartered in Topeka KS, was quoted as saying "Nature has finally overstepped her bounds by infringing on our copyright! We intend to prosecute this to the fullest extent of the law [of man]."
Nature, unfortunately, could not be reached for comment.
In unrelated news, NASA and several prominent astronomers today warned of an impending meteorite strike that was predicted to hit somewhere in the Mid-West of the US. The most like impact site was around Topeka, KS.
Re:hope they won't find... (Score:3, Funny)
I suggest anyone blowing a vuvuzela be placed in the vacuum of space so we don't have to hear it.
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New discovery!!!!! Buckyballs are..... (Score:1, Funny)
Buckyballs = Proto Proto Proto Planets