Putting a positive spin on the Buckyball C60: Its potential for high level ionization and as the origin for some of the mysterious UIE bands seen in the universe

Researchers have identified highly ionized species of the famous soccer ball-shaped 'Buckminsterfullerene' C60 molecule as plausible carriers of at least some of the most prominent and enigmatic Unidentified Infrared Emission (UIE) bands that have challenged astronomers since they were first discovered and studied over 30 years ago.