* Astronomy

The discovery of a new interstellar molecule confirms the existence of an oil refinery in our galaxy

An international team of scientists has detected a new interstellar molecule within our galaxy. This molecule, named propynylidynique cation (C 3 H +) is part of the family of small hydrocarbon molecules which enter into the composition of one of the energy sources the most important on the planet: oil and natural gas . The discovery of this molecule in the famous Nebula Horsehead (in the constellation of Orion) confirms that it is a particularly active oil refinery in the interstellar medium. It is thanks to recent renewal instrumental performances of 30-meter radio telescope of IRAM, near Granada, Spain, scientists have been able to achieve a record full of chemical Nebula Horsehead and they have revealed for the first time are nce cation propynylidynique in space (the result will be released on November 23, 2012 in Astronomy & Astrophysics ).
Read more (French)

The IRAM-30 m line survey of the Horsehead PDR
II. First detection of the l-C3H+ hydrocarbon cation

Read more