Herschel telescope detects oxygen molecules in space

摘要

The Herschel Space Observatory's Large telescope and state-of-the-art infrared detectors have provided the first confirmed finding of oxygen molecules in space. The molecules were discovered in the Orion star-forming complex. Individual atoms of oxygen are common in space, particularly around massive stars. But molecular oxygen, which makes up about 20% of the air we breathe, has eluded astronomers until now.