These Tiny 'Electric Soccer Balls' Answer A Huge Space Mystery

Scientists have confirmed that molecules resembling soccer balls are found in space, NASA has announced, something made possible using the Hubble Space Telescope. These molecules are electrically-charged and comprised of 60 carbon atoms (C60) arranged in a hollow sphere, this resulting in the characteristic 'soccer ball' appearance. The same molecules have rarely been found on Earth.

The confirmation was detailed in a study recently published in Astrophysical Journal Letters with NASA's Martin Cordiner as lead author. This isn't the first time these molecules, which are officially known as 'Buckminsterfullerene' and more commonly called 'Buckyballs,' have been found in space. However, this is the first time scientists have confirmed the electrically-charged version's presence in the interstellar medium (ISM).

The ionized version of these molecules results when ultraviolet star light strips away an electron, resulting in the positive charge. The ISM was thought to be too harsh and 'tenuous' for many of these ionized molecules to form, according to Cordiner, who explained, "Our confirmation of C60+ shows just how complex astrochemistry can get, even in the lowest density, most strongly ultraviolet-irradiated environments in the Galaxy."

Buckyballs are complex carbon molecules and their presence in the ISM reveals that such molecules can withstand the inhospitable interstellar space environment. The interstellar medium is thought to be the 'starting point' for the chemical processes that pave the way for both planet formation and life. Cordiner said:

In some ways, life can be thought of as the ultimate in chemical complexity. The presence of C60 unequivocally demonstrates a high level of chemical complexity intrinsic to space environments, and points toward a strong likelihood for other extremely complex, carbon-bearing molecules arising spontaneously in space.