All articles tagged with #stardust
Scientists analyzing microscopic presolar dust grains trapped in Antarctic ice say these grains predate the sun and carry isotopic fingerprints from ancient stars. Studying them could illuminate the materials and processes present at the birth of the solar system, helping researchers understand how dust coagulated into planets and how interstellar material was delivered to early Earth.
Scientists analyzed 40,000–80,000-year-old Antarctic ice and found iron-60, a radioactive byproduct of ancient supernovas, embedded in stardust likely carried through the Local Interstellar Cloud before reaching Earth. The results suggest interstellar dust from stellar explosions can penetrate the solar system, linking our solar neighborhood’s history to past supernovae and offering clues about how interstellar material interacts with our planet.
Samples from asteroid Bennu reveal materials from both within and outside our Solar System, including ancient stardust from other stars, and show that Bennu's surface has been significantly altered by space weathering and hydrothermal processes, providing insights into the early solar system and the asteroid's complex history.
Samples from asteroid Bennu reveal it contains ancient stardust older than the solar system, organic materials, and ices from interstellar space, providing insights into the early cosmos and the asteroid's violent history of formation and reassembly after a collision.
Researchers at Curtin University have discovered a rare dust particle in an ancient meteorite, formed by a star other than our sun, using a technique called atom probe tomography. The particle has an exceptionally high isotopic ratio of magnesium, indicating formation in a recently discovered type of star—a hydrogen burning supernova. This discovery, detailed in the Astrophysical Journal, provides insights into cosmic events beyond our solar system and pushes the boundaries of both analytical techniques and astrophysical models.
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses the cosmic perspective and its impact on human ego, emphasizing our connection to the universe as stardust. He argues that this connection, rather than individual uniqueness, is what makes us special. By understanding that the atoms in our bodies originated from stars, Tyson believes we can feel a sense of kinship with the cosmos, leading to a feeling of significance and unity with the universe.
Pokemon Go has announced the Adventure Week 2023 Collection Challenge, which will run from July 27 to August 2. The challenge involves catching specific Pokemon to complete different sets, with rewards including Stardust and encounters with Tyrunt and Amaura. The event will feature Fossil creatures, Mega Tyranitar, and the Shiny versions of Tyrunt and Amaura, as well as Regidrago's 5-star Raid.
Researchers analyzing a sample returned from the asteroid Ryugu have discovered tiny grains of stardust, which originated from distant stars and drifted through space for millions or billions of years. The presence of this stardust in the sample could provide valuable insights into the formation of the solar system. The grains have different isotopic signatures than the material from our own solar system, indicating contributions from various types of stars, including supernovae. This discovery highlights the richness of the universe and the role these materials played in the development of life on Earth.
Samples of the asteroid Ryugu collected by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft contain fragments of stardust that are older than the solar system itself. These foreign fragments, which come from the outer solar system, provide valuable insights into the dynamics and history of our solar system. The clasts, or slivers of rock, found in the Ryugu samples are chemically different from the rest of the asteroid and contain higher concentrations of presolar grains. These grains, which originated from a comet in the Kuiper belt, were incorporated into Ryugu after its formation, shedding light on the unaltered ingredients that formed the solar system.