On Jan. 15, 2006, NASAs Stardust spacecraft returned to Earth to drop off a pill which contained the first samples of a comet and interstellar dust. Two weeks previously, Stardust went to the comet Wild 2 and collected some dust from its coma. After investing 7 years in space, the 100-lb. capsule touched down in Utah. NASAs Stardust objective sent out comet samples back to Earth in January 2006. This image shows members of the Stardust team recuperating the pill in Utah. (Image credit: NASA Ames/Sandford) Scientists examined the dust grains and found some natural compounds, like nitrogen and hydrocarbons. Scientist likewise discovered material that was older than the sun. Just as they believed, the particles gathered by the Stardust mission turned out to be leftovers of the ancient structure blocks of our solar system.Catch up on our whole “On This Day In Space” series on YouTube with this playlist. On This Day in Space Archive! Still insufficient area? Do not forget to take a look at our Space Image of the Day, and on the weekends our Best Space Photos and Top Space News Stories of the week. Email Hanneke Weitering at [email protected] or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us @Spacedotcom and on Facebook..
