Buckminsterfullerene molecule, C60, image #1 by Russell Kightley Media

Buckminsterfullerene or Buckyball #1, C₆₀. The carbon atoms are shown as glassy spheres at their covalent radius (i.e. just touching). This image is 500 x 500 pixels; the original measures 4,096 x 4,096 pixels.

Buckminsterfullerene is a form (allotrope) of carbon. In this molecule, there are sixty carbon atoms arranged in a sphere (actually at the vertices of a truncated icosahedron). Fullerenes have rather exotic properties and these hollow balls of carbon atoms are likely to have many uses.

Russell Kightley Media: Scientific Illustration & Animation

GPO Box 3021, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
PHONE: international access code + 61-2-6100 3036
PHONE: NEW YORK (646) 257 5844
PHONE: LONDON (020) 7193 4831
FAX: international access code + 61-2-6281 1293

MOLECULES: Fullerenes: Buckminsterfullerene, C₆₀ #1

ALL MOLECULAR GRAPHICS: CARBON: Fullerenes: Buckminsterfullerene or Buckyball, C₆₀ image 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Buckminsterfullerene or Buckyball #1, C₆₀. The carbon atoms are shown as glassy spheres at their covalent radius (i.e. just touching). This image is 500 x 500 pixels; the original measures 4,096 x 4,096 pixels.

MOLECULES: Fullerenes: Buckminsterfullerene, C60 #1

ALL MOLECULAR GRAPHICS: CARBON: Fullerenes: Buckminsterfullerene or Buckyball, C60 image 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Buckminsterfullerene or Buckyball #1, C60. The carbon atoms are shown as glassy spheres at their covalent radius (i.e. just touching). This image is 500 x 500 pixels; the original measures 4,096 x 4,096 pixels.

MOLECULES: Fullerenes: Buckminsterfullerene, C₆₀ #1

ALL MOLECULAR GRAPHICS: CARBON: Fullerenes: Buckminsterfullerene or Buckyball, C₆₀ image 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Buckminsterfullerene or Buckyball #1, C₆₀. The carbon atoms are shown as glassy spheres at their covalent radius (i.e. just touching). This image is 500 x 500 pixels; the original measures 4,096 x 4,096 pixels.