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Astronomy

The Role of Dust in Molecular Hydrogen Formation

Quick fact

Without dust grains, molecular hydrogen—the most abundant molecule in the universe—would take about 10 billion years to form in the cold, sparse regions of space. But on dust grains, it forms in about a million years.

Why this is interesting

You know dust as something to sweep away, but in outer space, dust has a secret job: it builds the molecules that ignite stars. How can a humble grain of soot be the key to cosmic creation?