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Introducing Dr. Michel Maurette, micrometeorite researcher

Micrometeorite expert Jon Larsen shows road dust from Perpignan France

May 5, 2022

Today I went searching for stardust in the backyard of astrophysicist Michel Maurette, in Canet, Catalunya!

Dr. Michel Maurette was the brilliant scientist who delivered some of the calculations that enabled NASA’s Apollo missions to land on the Moon. Following this monumental contribution to science and human space exploration, he discovered the first Antarctic micrometeorites!

His pupils, Cecile Engrand and Jean Duprat, are two of the leading scientists in the research on cosmic dust particles and micrometeorites today. Stay tuned for news about my meeting with Jean Duprat!

I can’t wait to share more updates about this ongoing field expedition and the exciting project I’m participating in! Please be sure to follow Project Stardust on Instagram and Twitter to receive live updates about this exciting adventure!

For now, here are some photos from today:

Project Stardust founder Jon Larsen showcases the method he uses to collect micrometeorites — The methodology is simple; All that is needed is a good magnet and a plastic bag. © Project Stardust, 2022.

Micrometeorite expert Jon Larsen displays the sample he collected during micrometeorite field search 1072 — The yield from Micrometeorite Field Search #1072. © Project Stardust, 2022.

Something exciting is coming soon to Project Stardust — Working with a wonderful film crew today on a project titled “Stardust”. More updates coming soon! © Project Stardust, 2022.

Stardust in Perpignan, which — according to Salvador Dali — is the city at the center of the Universe!

Yours truly,

Jon Larsen

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Just in case you're new here!

Together we have amassed the world's most expansive collection of micrometeorites and we can't wait to share it with you.

Whether you're an expert in the field, an art collector with an appetite for treasures from space, or a budding stardust enthusiast, we hope you'll enjoy learning about our work.

Connect with us on social media to share the excitement of seeing new micrometeorites for the first time!

Jon Larsen & Jan Braly Kihle

We're so glad you're here!

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A COSMIC PERSPECTIVE for your home

Awe-inspiring images of
micrometeorites to remind you
that beauty truly is everywhere.

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WINTER 2022 COLLECTION

Meet this season's micrometeorites

This season's collection features a variety of stunning micrometeorites. From mountainous cryptocrystalline turtlebacks and bewitching glass spherules to ultra rare giants. Available for a limited time only.

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NMM 1448: V-TYPE

NMM 1448: V-TYPE

Glass / Vitreous

Glass or vitreous type (V-type) micrometeorites each a temperature of up to 2000°C (3600°F) as they descend through the atmosphere..

These delicate, translucent spherules are difficult to find due to their lack of magnetism, since most of their metals evaporated during descent.

NMM 1359: CC-TYPE

Crypto-crystalline

Cryptocrystalline (CC-type) micrometeorites are composed of glassy particles with fine-grained crystallites that are too small to recognize as individual grains.

Many of these magnificent spherules feature metal beads and aerodynamic forms, while others have a "turtleback" shape with humps distributed evenly around the spherule.

NMM 1359: CC-TYPE

NMM 500: BO-TYPE

Barred Olivine

Barred olivine (BO-type) spherules are coarse-grained micrometeorites made of the magnesium variety of the mineral olivine, forsterite, which is punctuated with small particles of magnetite.

The surface features striations that are formed when iron reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere.

NMM 500: BO-TYPE

NMM 1149: PO-TYPE

Porphyritic Olivine

Porphyritic olivine (PO-type) micrometeorites are also made of forsterite, a type of olivine that is made of magnesium.

There are many morphological varieties of this type of micrometeorite; From evenly distributed small crystals, to crystals that increase in side, to extremely large or even possibly a single olivine crystal.

NMM 1149: PO-TYPE

NMM 1271: Sc-TYPE

Scoriaceous

When stardust does not reach a peak temperature of at least 1350°C (2500°F) during entry and deceleration, it barely melts. Volatile elements expand and escape in the form of gas bubbles, which results in a scoriaceous (SC-type) or vesicular micrometeorite.

Micrometeorites of this type are extremely difficult to find.

NMM 1271: SC-TYPE

NMM 1271: G-, I-, CAT-typeS

Other Types

From G-types with dark silicate glass, I-types dominated by iron, and milky CAT spherules enriched with calcium, aluminum, and titanium, to fossil, unmelted, and un-categorized micrometeorites.

There is no question that Jon Larsen and Jan Braly Kihle's contributions have had a dramatic effect on the field.

NMM 1271: G-/I-/CAT-TYPES

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Michael Zolensky

NASA JOhnson Space Center

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Never forget: YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY STARDUST, inside and out.

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FIREBALL: Visitors from Darker Worlds

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From directors Werner Herzog and Clive Oppenheimer, this remarkable journey across our planet and universe explores how meteorites, shooting stars, and deep impacts have awoken our wonder about other realms-and make us rethink our destinies.

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The Atlas

of Micrometeorites

Never before has it been possible to see stardust in such a large format with crisp details. The 500+ color images are made possible by a new photo technology developed for this project by the author and mineralogist Jan Braly Kihle.

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The Atlas of Micrometeorites provides an INVALUABLE RESOURCE
for stardust hunters around the world.

Matthew Genge

Imperial College, London

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ORIGIN STORIES

Jon Larsen revolutionized the study of micrometeorites when he became the first person to discover a micrometeorite from an urban environment. Then a new form of art emerged when he and Jan Braly Kihle created the world's first high resolution photographs of micrometeorites in colour.

Learn about the singular moment that led to Jon's groundbreaking discovery
and the phone call that kickstarted a truly epic friendship.

Jon Larsen revolutionized the study of micrometeorites when he became the first person to discover a micrometeorite from an urban environment. Then a new form of art emerged when he and Jan Braly Kihle created the world's first high resolution photographs of micrometeorites in colour.

Learn about the singular moment that led to Jon's groundbreaking discovery and the phone call that kickstarted a truly epic friendship.

I HAVE TO KNOW

I'm ready. TEACH ME.

Micrometeorites

Jon Larsen and Jan Braly Kihle have amassed the world's most expansive collection of urban micrometeorites and they want you to follow in their footsteps.

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