Oxygen in Space: "How's the Air Up There?"

The European Space Agency’s Herschel telescope has confirmed the presence of oxygen within a star nursery in the Orion constellation.  Since the discovery of oxygen, in 1770, scientists have not been able to confirm the presence of this molecule in space. 

The oxygen found in the nursery is contained within ice covering granules of dust.  When the ice is heated, it melts and releases oxygen into space.  Scientists still do not know why the oxygen is specific to these areas. 

Source:

http://www.dawn.com/2011/08/03/european-telescope-detects-oxygen-in-space.html

For more information on telescopes, check out SCIENCE SCREEN REPORT’s Volume 40 episode: TELESCOPE – New Eyes on the Cosmos & X-Ray – Invisible Astronomy.

http://www.ssrvideo.com/vol40.html#8