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

Abstract

Cosmic Fullerenes Since the discovery of the buckminsterfullerene C 60 in laboratory experiments, it has been speculated that fullerenes could form abundantly in carbon-rich evolved stars and, because of their stability, survive the harsh radiation field in the interstellar medium as a gas-phase species. Cami et al. (p. 1180 ; published online 22 July; see the Perspective by Ehrenfreund and Foing ) have detected large amounts of fullerenes in a peculiar planetary nebula with an extremely hydrogen-poor dust formation zone. Contrary to expectations, the fullerenes are not gaseous; they are cool, are in a neutral charge state, and represent about 1.5% of the available carbon.