Detection of C60 in the proto-planetary nebula IRAS 01005+7910

TL;DR

This paper reports the first detection of buckminsterfullerene (C60) in a proto-planetary nebula, indicating that fullerenes form early in the late stages of stellar evolution, with implications for circumstellar chemistry.

Contribution

First detection of C60 in a proto-planetary nebula, expanding understanding of fullerene formation in stellar evolution stages.

Findings

C60 detected at 7.0, 17.4, and 18.9 microns in IRAS 01005+7910

Fullerenes form after the asymptotic giant branch phase

Implications for circumstellar chemistry discussed

Abstract

We report the first detection of buckminsterfullerene (C60) in a proto-planetary nebula (PPN). The vibrational transitions of C60 at 7.0, 17.4, and 18.9um are detected in the Spitzer/IRS spectrum of IRAS 01005+7910. This detection suggests that fullerenes are formed shortly after the asymptotic giant branch but before the planetary nebulae stage. A comparison with the observations of C60 in other sources is made and the implication on circumstellar chemistry is discussed.