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'Buckyballs' discovered
July 23, 2010 - First observed in a lab 25 years ago, soccer-ball-shaped carbon molecules, known as 'buckyballs,' have been discovered in space for the first time. |
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July 23, 2010 - First observed in a lab 25 years ago, soccer-ball-shaped carbon molecules, known as 'buckyballs,' have been discovered in space for the first time by astronomers using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
BUCKYBALLS were named after Buckminster Fuller, an architect famous for his geodesic dome design - interlocking circles on the surface of a partial sphere. Buckyballs were thought to float around in space, but had escaped detection until now.
"We found what are now the largest molecules known to exist in space," Jan Cami, astronomer, said in a NASA press release. "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."
Cami authored a paper about the discovery that will appear online Thursday in the journal Science.
Buckyballs are made of 60 carbon atoms arranged in three-dimensional, spherical structures. Their alternating patterns of hexagons and pentagons match a typical black-and-white soccer ball. The research team also found the more elongated relative of buckyballs, known as C70, for the first time in space. These molecules consist of 70 carbon atoms and are shaped more like an oval rugby ball. Both types of molecules belong to a class known officially as buckminsterfullerenes, or fullerenes.
The data from Spitzer were compared with data from laboratory measurements of the same molecules and showed a perfect match.
"We did not plan for this discovery," Cami said. "But when we saw these whopping spectral signatures, we knew immediately that we were looking at one of the most sought-after molecules." |
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Dr Clarke's winning Video from the 2009 Flu Prevention PSA Contest
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FLU SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of the 2009 H1N1 flu are: fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, according to the CDC. Some people have reported vomiting and diarrhea and other people may have symptoms without fever. Consult your doctor, particularly if you are in a high risk group for complications from the flu. Below are warning signs (adults and children) that need immediate medical attention.
Emergency Warning Signs:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
CDC info for: Pregnant Women and Parents with Infants
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