But what makes oxygen different from carbon? It is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom that is the defining feature of the atom. It's what makes one element different from another.

detected frozen carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in its icy nucleus, as well as carbon dioxide and methane in the surrounding gas cloud. The findings could help scientists better understand ...

The picture shows a close-up of one carbon atom. A hydrogen atom has one proton as the nucleus and one electron in the region outside the nucleus. The electron and proton are attracted to each other.