The \u201cspace dust\u201d which helps to form the stars and planets around the cosmos is spongier than previously thought, a group of scientists have found.<\/p>\n
The international group of astronomers and astrochemists reviewed years\u2019 of research to try and resolve a simple question \u2013 is cosmic dust porous?<\/p>\n
These tiny dust grains are fundamental to astronomy and are found in the star-forming regions of space such as the Pillars of Creation.<\/p>\n
Professor Martin McCoustra from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh took part in the study, which was published in the Astronomy and Astrophysics Review.<\/p>\n
The tiny dust grains are far from being like miniature rocks, he explained.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIn fact, they\u2019re more like fluffy little sponges, riddled with tiny voids.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cosmic dust can influence how light travels through space and form the building blocks for life.<\/p>\n
The researchers found clues about dust porosity from different observations and space missions.<\/p>\n
The European\u00a0Space\u00a0Agency\u2019s Rosetta mission to comet 67P also found extremely fragile, fluffy dust particles, some with porosities exceeding 99%.<\/p>\n
Professor McCoustra added: \u201cSpongy grains could be more easily destroyed by shocks and radiation as they travel through interstellar space.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cWe should remember that nearly 100 years ago, astronomers did not believe molecules could exist in space, as the environment was considered too harsh.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, astrochemistry is recognised as addressing fundamental questions in terms of star formation and the origins of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Alexey Potapov from the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the lead author of the review, said: \u201cIf these grains are porous, that means they have a far greater surface area than we thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat could radically change our understanding of how molecules form and evolve in\u00a0space.\u201d<\/p>\n
However astronomers remain divided, with some models suggesting high porosity would make dust grains too cold or fragile to match what telescopes observe in interstellar clouds.<\/p>\n
It was concluded that further observations, laboratory work and modelling are required to resolve the debate.<\/p>\n
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