Gem of a Comet Particle
March 3, 2006
This image shows a comet particle collected by the Stardust spacecraft. The particle is made up of the silicate mineral forsterite, which can found on Earth in gemstones called peridot. It is surrounded by a thin rim of melted aerogel, the substance used to collect the comet dust samples. The particle is about 2 micrometers across.
Topics:
Environment, Technology Internet, Stardust, Discovery program, Space exploration, Forsterite, Sample return mission, Olivine, Peridot, Dust, Aerogel, Comet
