NASA launch the Stardust ballistic capsule in 1999 , with a deputation to collect cosmic dust as well as dust from the comet Wild 2 . It returned to Earth in 2006 , and scientist and volunteers have been systematically analyzing images in an endeavor to distinguish the material collected ever since . They have now describe seven particle that could be interstellar dust . A paper about the research has been bring out inScience , and 30,000 citizen scientist arelisted as joint author . An additional twelve written document will appear in the journalMeteoritics & Planetary Science .
Stars forge elements in their nub through atomic fusion over the course of their lives , and sure asterisk shed these elements as interstellar junk . When a star explodes and sound into a supernova , huge amount of elements are scattered throughout the Universe . This “ stardust ” cater the basis for element essential to life , like carbon , oxygen , and atomic number 7 . study the dust particles themselves could render decisive information about how interstellar detritus is formed and how it changes over time .
During its mission , Stardust used aerogel and aluminum transparency collectors about the size of a tennis fraudulent scheme to obtain the dust samples . Upon its return , an automate scanning microscope took images of all of the collectors inside of a uncontaminating way to ensure the samples had not been contaminate .
for analyze the incredible amount of images and locate the particles for subject field , theStardust@homeproject called for volunteers known as “ Dusters . ” Once a likely mote is spotted by a issue of volunteer , a squad from University of California , Berkeley assert its existence and can start testing the detritus . These particles are passing small , ranging from about 0.2 - 2 micron in width , so finding and testing them is no small job .
" These are the most challenging aim we will ever have in the laboratory for field , and it is a triumph that we have made as much progress in their analysis as we have , " Science paper co - author Michael Zolensky toldNASA .
Three of the seven corpuscle that arecandidates for interstellar originhave traces of sulfur , which could be problematic . There is some argument about whether or not those compound could really be found in interstellar dust . However , the researchers have notice an astounding amount of diverseness between these detritus particles in terms of composition , size , and crystal structure . The researcher need to study more mote before any of them can be definitively claimed to be of interstellar origin or not .
