Scientists at NASA's Ames Research Center have recreated carbon grains that are formed in the outer layer of dying stars. The creation will help scientists to better understand the evolution and composition of the universe.

Researchers performed the experiment in a Cosmic Simulation Chamber (COSmiC). They recreated the dust and gas present in the red giant star's atmosphere, which further led to the formation of the planet-forming interstellar dust.

Dust grains are quite beneficial. They not only act as the key component of the universe's evolution, but are found surrounding a dying star releasing into the interstellar medium leading to the formation of planets.

"The harsh conditions of space are extremely difficult to reproduce in the laboratory, and have long hindered efforts to interpret and analyze observations from space", affirmed Farid Salama, project leader.

With the help of COSmiC simulator, they will be able to know about the universe's evolution as well as its composition. It can also be known from the data derived from COSmIC that which types of grains are present around stars. By knowing the same, mysteries revolving around earth-like planet and how they form can be known.

Ames research fellow Cesar Contreras said such type of research pushes the boundaries of science towards new horizons. It also explains NASA's important contribution to science. During the course of the experiment, researchers were able to produce nanoparticles about 10 nanometers in size and grains of the range of 100 to 500 nanometers.