Progress towards a rotationally - resolved spectrum of C 60

Buckminsterfullerene (C60) was first discovered back in 1985 by Kroto et al. while they were simulating carbon star chemistry in the laboratory and noticed that carbon clusters comprised of 60 carbon atoms dominated other even number clusters. The presence of these molecules in the outflows of stars was confirmed in 2010, when it was detected in the planetary nebula Tc1. Also during this time C60 was detected in the interstellar medium (ISM) through infrared (IR) emission transitions from reflection nebulae. Although its presence in these environments was confirmed, the exact amount of C60 present remains a mystery because of uncertainties in its ultraviolet absorption cross-section. Obtaining an absorption spectrum would allow the amount of C60 to be determined without relying on this value.