CALIFORNIA - Herschel Space Observatory's large telescopes and infrared detectors detect the presence of molecular oxygen in the Orion star formation complex.
Individual Atomic oxygen (O2) is generally located in the space. But specifically the oxygen molecules in the vicinity of massive stars. The reason this has never been found. These are the three most common elements in the universe.
For the first time, it can detect molecular oxygen in space. This may help explain, in which oxygen is lost in hiding all this time.
"Oxygen gas was first discovered in the 1770s, but it took us more than 230 years to finally say with certainty, that this molecule is very simple and in space," says Paul Goldsmith, Herschel project scientist, NASA, as quoted TG Daily, Tuesday (08/02/2011).
For decades, astronomers look for molecular oxygen in space that can be used for the balloon, as well as regions in space to place the telescope. Odin telescope from Sweden seems to have used it in 2007, but the observations could not be confirmed.
Goldsmith and his team of researchers believe, oxygen may be locked up in ice water and a layer of small dust grains. Oxygen is found in the Orion nebula, they believe the formation took place after the star's light warms the ice grains, thus releasing the water. It is then transformed into molecular oxygen.
This is a similar process is believed to have led to the formation of hydrogen peroxide in space, as was observed earlier this month.
The researchers also plan to find out more about the molecular oxygen in the formation of other stars are scattered in the universe.
"This may explain where some of the oxygen away and hide," added Goldsmith.
"But we do not find in large quantities and still do not understand what is so special about the place where we find it. The universe still holds many secrets," he explained.
large telescopes and infrared detectors detect the presence of molecular oxygen in the Orion star formation complex.
