The role of linear and spheroidal carbon molecules in interstellar grain formation

The recent discovery that a uniquely stable, spheroidal, carbon molecule consisting of 60 atoms, C60 Buckminsterfullerene, forms spontaneously when carbon vapour nucleates has opened up a new and exciting perspective on the chemical and physical properties of carbon. The observations, shed new light on the detailed mechanism of the carbon clustering process itself and appear to have particularly important implications as far as carbon particle formation is concerned in circumstellar dust formation. The discoveries aimed at an understanding of the relationships between carbon chain molecules and macroscopic carbon grains in circumstellar shells and interstellar space. The results suggest that in addition to the chains and grains, the C60 molecule, probably in the form of the ion C60+ in the less shielded regions, is ubiquitously present and perhaps responsible for some of the interstellar spectroscopic features such as the some of the Diffuse Interstellar Bands. Further study of small carbon particles which form in the gas phase has resulted in the discovery that they have quasi-icosahedral spiral shell structures. It seems highly likely that related species which include hydrogen are responsible for some of the Unidentified Infrared Bands