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Micrometeorites

Stunning Color Image Reveals this Micrometeorite’s “Glowing” Interior

Until Jan Braly Kihle and I created the world’s first high resolution images of micrometeorites in the visual spectrum, scanning electron microscopes (SEM) were used to capture images of these fascinating particles.

SEM images reveal extraordinary details and are an invaluable research tool. However, they often miss important and interesting details.

For example, the first image in this post is a high resolution color macro photograph by Jan Braly Kihle and me of cryptocrystalline (CC-type) micrometeorite NMM 3119.

In this image, you can clearly that the stone is extremely reflective on the surface. In fact, the dark shadows at two and seven o’clock are most likely reflections of other micrometeorites during the photo shoot. The approximately 0.3 mm CC-type stone has a metal bead in the front and a rounded glass tail,

However, the most fascinating feature of NMM 3119 goes undetected in the black and white electron microscope image (shown second in this post). Look closely at the color image and you will see a “glowing” interior.

What can it be?

So often in this work I am confronted by intriguing mysteries such as this one. Perhaps further study will reveal the particle’s interior composition, but perhaps not. Only time will tell.

Whatever the future holds, NMM 3119 once again demonstrates the necessity of documenting micrometeorites in color and with a scanning electron microscope.

if you have questions, please connect with me on FacebookInstagram, or Twitter.

Yours truly,

Jon Larsen

P.S. The most comprehensive book about micrometeorites is the fantastic Atlas of Micrometeorites, which is available now as instant PDF download! Enjoy!

SEM image of NMM 3119 is a cryptocrystalline micrometeorite with a hidden bead discovered and photographed by Project Stardust Founder Jon Larsen and Siri Simonsen
SEM image of NMM 3119 is a cryptocrystalline micrometeorite with a hidden bead discovered and photographed by Project Stardust Founder Jon Larsen and Siri Simonsen. © Project Stardust, 2023.

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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.

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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.

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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The Atlas of Micrometeorites provides an INVALUABLE RESOURCE
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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.

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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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We're Jon Larsen & Jan Braly Kihle

We are world renowned micrometeorite experts here to share our cosmic art and inspire the world to become star hunters.

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