Buckminsterfullerene

Buckminsterfullerene, in the common world, is known as the buckyball. Buckminsterfullerene is a spherical shaped hollow molecule, resembling a soccer ball, made of 60 carbon atoms, arranged to form 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons. Regarded by some as the third natural form of carbon(in addition to graphite and diamond), buckyballs are believed to have played a major role in the beginning of life on earth. The unique structure of buckyballs has constantly been utilized in the engineering world and is currently being used in superconductors, medicines, and water purification systems. Two years ago, NASA astronomers theorized that buckyballs may exist abundantly throughout the confines of space. Therefore the chances for other carbon-based lifeforms on other planets would be greatly increased. Using the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope, a high powered infrared telescope, NASA astronomers followed up their hypothesis and found solid forms of buckyballs in space around 11:30 a.m. on 2/22/2012. This discovery has great implications in the worlds of science and technology. As we begin to learn more about buckyballs and their structures, we will be able to use them with greater frequency in molecular engineering. In addition, this solid form of the buckyball gives scientists a better idea of how we may have originated.

For more information, visit the NASA website.
Picture found here.