This image shows a comet particle collected by the Stardust spacecraft. 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. The particle is about 2 micrometers across.
Name | Value | Additional Values |
---|---|---|
Target | 81P/Wild | |
System | Periodic Comets | |
Target Type | Comet | |
Mission | Stardust | |
Instrument Host | Stardust | |
Host Type | Sample Return | |
Instrument | ||
Detector | ||
Extra Keywords | Comet, Dust, Grayscale | |
Acquisition Date | ||
Release Date | 2006-02-21 | |
Date in Caption | ||
Image Credit | NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Washington | |
Source | photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA02190 | |
Identifier | PIA02190 |