It appears the article is referring to tholins[1], which are actually molecules containing nitrogen rather than atomic (or even diatomic) nitrogen.<p>Nitrogen atoms themselves are essentially always the same size, except when either a) more neutrons have been added to the core, creating a different isotope of nitrogen (in this case the atom is still very much the same size, just heavier) or b) electrons have been added&#x2F;removed from the outer shells, creating a chemically differently-behaving ion.<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Tholin" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Tholin</a>