X

Photos: Join the search for stardust

At Stardust@Home, volunteers are asked to help locate comet samples brought back by NASA's Stardust probe.
By Bill Detwiler, Contributor
30930.jpg
1 of 9 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

Wild2

The Stardust@Home site has officially opened its doors to let PC users participate in a project to identify minute comet particles trapped by NASA's Stardust space probe. As of Monday, 115,000 people had pre-registered to take part in the program.

The Stardust spacecraft launched in 1999 and reached Comet Wild2 in 2004. Twice, aerogel collectors were opened to capture particles from the comet. It safely returned to Earth on Jan. 15, 2006, and scientists have been studying the particles since.

Stardust@Home volunteers will be asked to examine one of 1.6 million "focus movies" from sections of the aerogel collectors to see if they can spot a particle that could be a micron in size. And to make it an even tougher task, volunteers will need to pass a test in the use of a virtual microscope that works with their Web browser before they earn the privilege to study samples.

Pictured here is a composite of Comet Wild2 produced from Stardust photographs.

30931.jpg
2 of 9 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

Comet particle

This is a 2-micrometer piece of comet sample that scientists were able to extract from the aeorgel in the Stardust space probe. NASA described the sample this way: "The particle is made up of the silicate mineral forsterite, also known as peridot in its gem form. It is surrounded by a thin rim of melted aerogel, the substance used to collect the comet dust samples."

It is estimated that about 40 tiny pieces from the comet's tail were captured and returned to Earth. The problem is finding them.

30932.jpg
3 of 9 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

aerogel

This is what the aerogel collector looked like before it was sent on its mission.

30933.jpg
4 of 9 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

side view

A side view of the particles trapped by aerogel.

30934.jpg
5 of 9 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

tracks

This photo shows the tracks of comet particles after they were captured in the aerogel. The actual pieces are at the bottom.

30935.jpg
6 of 9 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

tracking

Volunteers can locate tracks from the comet particles by zooming in through their virtual microscope. The upper picture here is what the surface looks like, and the track of a particle (lower picture) can be detected by moving a mouse over the bars on the right.

30936.jpg
7 of 9 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

ding

The task is complicated by the many cracks and flaws in the aerogel over its 6-year mission. This "ding" is a false alarm.

30937.jpg
8 of 9 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

track

This image shows the track of a comet particle before and after it was magnified. Volunteers who think they find a piece of comet dust are to notify Stardust@Home. Scientists will examine the findings and, if it's appropriate, will extract the particle from the actual aerogel returned by Stardust spacecraft.

30938.jpg
9 of 9 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

community page

The Stardust@Home site features a Community page where volunteers can discuss the program and their results. The Top-100 volunteers will even get special recognition.

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
Holiday lights in Central Park background

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes

21 Photos
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
Wooden lodge in pine forest with heavy snow reflection on Lake O'hara at Yoho national park

Related Galleries

Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting

21 Photos
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
3D Rendering Christmas interior

Related Galleries

Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes

21 Photos
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
img-8825

Related Galleries

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza

26 Photos
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
img-9792-2

Related Galleries

A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex

22 Photos
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
shutterstock-1024665187.jpg

Related Galleries

Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup

8 Photos
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'
Full of promises!

Related Galleries

Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'

8 Photos