alb3794411

Stardust Mission, Comet Dust

Researcher displays a sample from the Stardust mission, which collected samples of comet dust and returned them to the Earth. The sample was analyzed at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. The particles are the first pieces of a comet to have ever been plucked from outer space and returned to Earth. The primary goal of Stardust was to collect dust and carbon-based samples during its closest encounter with Comet Wild 2. Samples spent a few days at Argonne and were bombarded by the high-precision X-ray beams from the Advanced Photon Source (APS). By using the APS to map the samples, researchers hope to determine their chemical makeup and to gain a better understanding of the composition of comets and other planetary bodies, including the Earth. The particles were captured in aerogel, a special type of foamed glass, made so lightweight that it is barely visible and almost floats in air. This project gives scientists the opportunity to determine the unique characteristics of a comet.

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Title: Stardust Mission, Comet Dust

Caption: Researcher displays a sample from the Stardust mission, which collected samples of comet dust and returned them to the Earth. The sample was analyzed at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. The particles are the first pieces of a comet to have ever been plucked from outer space and returned to Earth. The primary goal of Stardust was to collect dust and carbon-based samples during its closest encounter with Comet Wild 2. Samples spent a few days at Argonne and were bombarded by the high-precision X-ray beams from the Advanced Photon Source (APS). By using the APS to map the samples, researchers hope to determine their chemical makeup and to gain a better understanding of the composition of comets and other planetary bodies, including the Earth. The particles were captured in aerogel, a special type of foamed glass, made so lightweight that it is barely visible and almost floats in air. This project gives scientists the opportunity to determine the unique characteristics of a comet.

Category: SCIENCE • people • TECHNOLOGY • Astronomy & Space

Credit: Album / Science Source / Argonne National Laboratory

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Image size: 2100 × 1391 px | 8.4 MB

Print size: 17.8 × 11.8 cm | 826.8 × 547.6 in (300 dpi)

Keywords: ADVANCED PHOTON SOURCE • ANALYSIS • ANL • APS • ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY • ASTRONOMY & SPACE • COMET DUST • COMET WILD II • COMET • COMETS • COSMIC DUST • DISCOVERER • EXPLORER • FORMATION • NASA • PEOPLE • RESEARCH CENTER • RESEARCH CENTRE • RESEARCH • RESEARCHER (MALE) • RESEARCHER • SAVANT • SCI • SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WISSENSCHAFT SCI • SCIENCE • SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY • SCIENCE_AND_TECHNOLOGY WISSENSCHAFT SCI • SCIENTIFIC • SCIENTIST • SPACE DUST • STARDUST MISSION • STARDUST • TECHNOLOGY • UNIVERSE