Dear all,

It is our pleasure to announce that we have completed our very first live event on Instagram. We were joined by fellow photographer Don Komarechka (@donkomphoto) to discuss the philosophical impact of macrophotography on Tuesday, 24 January 2023, at 7 PM Central European Time (1:00 PM Eastern Time / 10:00 AM Pacific Time).

Hundreds of people who follow @prjstardust and @donkomphoto on Instagram joined the conversation. We were truly amazed by the excellent caliber of the comments and questions that were added during the event.

As you know, our work has helped people from all around the world to see with a new perspective by finding cosmic beauty in common dust. Since yours truly discovered the world’s first urban micrometeorite, numerous other collectors have joined in the hunt for stardust. To many it is the excitement of making a new discovery that is the driving force and for others it is the beauty.

When Jan Braly Kihle and I began taking color images, we presented the world with a way of viewing a micrometeorite that had never been seen before. Our art brought micrometeorites into the pop lexicon and has continued to have an important impact on the scientific study of these enigmatic particles.

Don Komarechka is a nature, macro, and landscape photographer located near Varna, Bulgaria. From auroras to pollen, insects to infrared, much of Don’s photographic adventures reveal a deeper understanding of how the universe works. Exploring the world that we cannot see with our own eyes has been a common thread in Don’s career as a professional photographer.

Always science-minded but never formally trained, Don uses photography as a way to explore and understand the world around him. Photographing something unusual or unknown is the perfect excuse to learn something new. Don’s work often pushes up against the technical limitations of modern camera equipment and the physical limitations of light itself.

During our conversation we discussed the connection between art and science, our methodologies, and how the new perspectives we present shape our way of thinking. We learned that beyond our affinity for exceptional macro photography, a notable common thread between Don’s work and that of Jan Braly Kihle and me, is that we both find beauty among that which others commonly discard. Don commented that he frequently visits a local butterfly house to collect the remains of deceased butterflies. And I discover micrometeorites by taking samples from common dirt.

Our inspirational conversation is now available to watch as a video on Instagram. We hope you’ll tune in and enjoy!

Several of our viewers commented that they listened to our conversation while they were creating their own art or pursuing their own discoveries under the microscope. If this was you, or if you create something beautiful while you listen to the recorded video, please share your work in your Instagram Stories and tag us so we can share your remarks with our communities. Alternatively, please drop us a comment or send us a DM!

With the exception of our loving families, nothing brings us greater joy than helping you learn more about micrometeorites.

We hope you find our conversation informative, inspiring, and helpful. Enjoy!

Yours truly,

Jon Larsen & Jan Braly Kihle