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Where to Find Micrometeorites
In order to find micrometeorites, it is essential to master two concepts: Accumulation and the signal-to-noise ratio.
Accumulation is roughly defined as a gradual increase in number over time. When applied to finding micrometeorites, one can easily see how it is imperative to find a place where the concentration of micrometeorites will increase, not decrease.
A signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a measure that compares the level of a desired signal to the level of background noise. When applied to the context of micrometeorites, SNR means how many micrometeorites (signal) there are compared to terrestrial particles (noise). Obviously, if one's goal is to find micrometeorites, it would be logical to seek a place with high signal (lots of micrometeorites) and low noise (few imposters).
Therefore, a large skyward facing surface, one floor above ground, that is not frequently cleaned out by precipitation or wind is an ideal place to find micrometeorites.
Why not roads and parking lots? Well, the problem here is that there is too much noise; far too many terrestrial imposters that look and behave like micrometeorites, yet have human-made or Earthly origins.
One consideration that must be passionately emphasized is health, safety, and environment (HSE). There are many dangers associated with hunting for stardust. If one is seeking stardust on an elevated surface, one must take precautions to protect against falls. Roofs are also the domain of birds and other animals, which means their droppings may be present in any debris that is collected. Therefore, one must take precautions to protect against biohazards by, at a minimum, using gloves and a mask. Then of course, there is sun and heat, both of which are amplified on elevated surfaces.
Is this a comprehensive list of dangers? No. And are you solely responsible for your own safety and well-being while stardust hunting, even when following this guide? Absolutely.
Start here
How to Collect Micrometeorites.
Seven steps to heaven
Micrometeorites have two properties that we can use to our advantage when trying to find them. First, most micrometeorites are magnetic and, second, most micrometeorite have a diameter between 0.2-0.4 mm.
From this starting point, any enthusiastic star hunter can collect magnetic micrometeorites with simple, household tools by following these seven steps.
Here, we have summarized Jon Larsen's celebrated collection steps. His book "How to Find Stardust" is a wealth of additional details, including step-by-step process photos, a detailed process for finding micrometeorites that are not magnetic, colour photos of micrometeorites, and colour photos of numerous types of look-alike particles.
MATERIALS
1 x strong magnet
1 x medium Ziplock bag
1 x large Ziplock bag
1 x small Ziplock bag
1 x black permanent marker
1 x bucket
1 x dish soap
1 x white plastic spoon
Hot Water
1 x white plate
1 x white plastic bowl
1 x tea strainer
1. Put a magnet into a medium Ziplock bag and hold.
This keeps the magnet clean and makes it easier to release the sample after collection is complete.
2. Put the first Ziplock bag into a larger Ziplock bag, covering your hand.
The second Ziplock bag forms the magnet's contact surface with the ground and will protect the magnet from rough particles.
3. Hold a small, third bag in your other hand.
Hold the first two collection bags over the opening of the third bag. Keep hold of bag number two and three with one hand, while pulling the magnet out with the other. When the magnet is removed, any magnetic particles will be released into bag number three.
4. Label bag number three with permanent marker.
Ensure accurate data collection by labeling your sample with its collection date and location.
5. Clean your sample.
Half fill the bowl with hot water and add a little dish soap. Pour in the sample and stir. Wait until the dust settles and remove any floating debris. Then carefully pour off the froth and dirty water. Repeat until water stays clear.
6. Dry your sample.
Place the cleaned sample onto a white plate to dry and wait. Make sure you get all the smallest particles from the bottom!
7. Strain your sample.
Clean your white plastic bowl then hold a tea strainer over it. Pour your sample into the tea strainer and shake gently.
Configure your magnet, Pt 1.
Magnet, 1 x medium ziplock bag
Put a magnet into a medium Ziplock bag and hold.
This keeps the magnet clean and makes it easier to release the sample after collection is complete.
Configure your magnet, Pt 2.
large ziplock bag
Put the first Ziplock bag into a larger Ziplock bag, covering your hand.
The second Ziplock bag forms the magnet's contact surface with the ground and will protect the magnet from rough particles.
Fill your sample bag.
small ziplock bag
Hold a small, third bag in your other hand.
Hold the first two collection bags over the opening of the third bag. Keep hold of bag number two and three with one hand, while pulling the magnet out with the other. When the magnet is removed, any magnetic particles will be released into bag number three.
Label your sample bag.
Black permanent marker
Label bag number three with permanent marker.
Ensure accurate data collection by labeling your sample with its collection date and location.
Remove large debris.
bucket, dish soap, plastic spoon, hot water
Clean your sample.
Half fill the bowl with hot water and add a little dish soap. Pour in the sample and stir. Wait until the dust settles and remove any floating debris. Then carefully pour off the froth and dirty water. Repeat until water stays clear.
Prepare sample for straining.
white plate
Dry your sample.
Place the cleaned sample onto a white plate to dry and wait. Make sure you get all the smallest particles from the bottom!
Remove small debris.
white bowl, tea strainer
Strain your sample.
Clean your white plastic bowl then hold a tea strainer over it. Pour your sample into the tea strainer and shake gently.
How to Identify Micrometeorites
See stars in a world of sand
After you have collected, cleaned, and strained your sample, the next step is to put the remaining particles under a microscope. A stereo microscope is pure fun, and perfect for finding micrometeorites.
Of course, a microscope's most important feature is its magnification. I use 63x magnification to look at the surface textures on individual particles. Good USB microscopes offer 200x, or even greater. While these microscopes reveal many morphological details, it is important to note that as magnification increases, depth of field decreases proportionally and a stronger light is needed. Furthermore, the lack of stereoscopic view makes it difficult to use a USB microscope for identification.
As one might expect, spotting a micrometeorite among terrestrial (Earth-made) and anthropogenic (human-made) particles is quite a difficult task. Once you have a microscope and can use it with confidence, you then need to know what to look for.
Micrometeorites are nearly always complete objects that are darker than the rest of the particles.
To help reduce the amount of noise under your microscope lens, only put 0.5 g into the dish at a time. Another helpful tip is to use a sharpened wooden chopstick to move particles around and an even sharper bamboo stick to isolate interesting particles.
To do so, simply dip the point of the bamboo stick into water and then carefully touch it to the particle. If there is just the right amount of water, it will stick to the end just long enough to move the particle to another location. If the stick is too wet, however, the tiny cosmic rock will refuse to let go.
Jon Larsen's book "How to Find Stardust" is a treasure chest of additional information, including colour photographs of micrometeorites and common imposters, plus valuable information about micrometeorite storage.
How to Verify Micrometeorites
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This type of verification is the least likely to result in error and these four non-isotopic criteria can be used to positively identify a micrometeorite via chemical analysis. The criteria are as follows:
1. A chondritic chemical composition for their major and minor elements. This is easy to check via chemical analysis.
2. The presence of a nickel-bearing metal bead. While this property is easy to notice, it is important to recognize that a lack of nickel does not necessarily indicate terrestrial origin. Nickel and iron often differentiate into an interior core, which may not be visible on the surface.
3. The presence of a partial or complete rim of magnetite around the micrometeorite.
4. The presence of platinum group nuggets (PGN).
JON LARSEN'S VISUAL VERIFICATION CHECKLIST
In addition to these criteria, Jon Larsen asserts that it is possible to identify fresh micrometeorites under a microscope, using morphology alone. He has constructed a checklist, consisting of ten simple questions that can be answered "yes" or "no", based on what you can (or cannot) see. The checklist, which is presented in its entirety in "How to Find Stardust", is summarized below.
CONFIRMATORY CRITERIA
- Is the rock aerodynamic?
- Are the colours, luster, and translucence like that of other micrometeorites?
- If metal beads are present, is their location consistent with rapid deceleration?
- Is it a single rock?
- Does the rock exhibit characteristic micrometeorite textures?
EXCLUSIONARY CRITERIA
- Does the rock have twin formations or complex forms, such as aggregates?
- Are there crash or roller marks?
- Does the object have one or more tails?
- Is the object rusty or does it have particularly vibrant colours?
- Is the candidate the right size?
Of course, if there is any doubt about your ability to identify any of these characteristics, chemical analysis is recommended.
How to Photograph Micrometeorites
Capturing the true likeness of stardust
What these images do not show, however, are the natural colours, transparence, or translucence of the micrometeorites. Colour photography is therefore a useful addition to the traditional method of documenting micrometeorites.
Several methods can be used to photograph a micrometeorite in colour and with the rapid development of digital photography equipment and software, new methods and higher resolution images are introduced every year.
The easiest way to photograph micrometeorites is to use a USB microscope with a magnification of at least 200x. The downside with this method is that existing microscopes are unable to produce these photographs at a high resolution.
Many collectors use their smartphones to take photographs through a microscope using lenses that are compatible with a smartphone.
A trinocular microscope has a third ocular for a camera. These take excellent photos, as the equipment is specially designed for this purpose.
No matter what technology is used, however, a recurring challenge of microphotography is the restricted depth of field at high magnifications. This can be solved using stacking technology; software specifically designed to take a succession of individual exposures, gradually moving the focal point up or down until the entire surface of the object has been in focus.
Jon Larsen's partner, Jan Braly Kihle, collaborated to produce several versions of custom equipment, using an Olympus camera in combination with a combination of custom optics and ultra long working distance microscope objectives on a motorized rack. Their custom system allows them to move up or down with high precision, one micron (0.001 mm) at a time.
All colour images of micrometeorites featured on this website and in Project Stardust books were taken using this method. These images have been heralded as the best micrometeorite photos in the world today and serve as a supplement to the traditional SEM images that have been relied on for decades.
This exciting new connection with space is now within reach for all of us by following the simple directions laid out for you in "How to Find Stardust". Welcome to the hunt!
MORE FASCINATING QUESTIONS
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We're so glad you're here.
Your curiosity means the world to us.
Many years ago when Jon Larsen began his search for stardust in an urban environment, many believed that the task was simply impossible. There were too many terrestrial lookalikes and, after all, many wonderful scientists had tried and failed for decades.
In 2015, Norwegian jazz guitarist, Jon Larsen, discovered the world's first urban micrometeorite. Since then, his legendary friendship with minerologist, Jan Braly Kihle, has produced the world's most spectacular high resolution images of micrometeorites — in breathtaking color.
Many years ago when Jon Larsen began his search for stardust in an urban environment, many believed that the task was simply impossible. There were too many terrestrial imposters and, after all, many wonderful scientists had tried and failed for nearly one hundred years.
In 2015, Norwegian jazz guitarist, Jon Larsen, discovered the world's first urban micrometeorite. Since then, his legendary friendship with minerologist, Jan Braly Kihle, has produced the world's most spectacular high resolution images of micrometeorites -- in breathtaking color.
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To you we say, "Welcome!"; "Thank you!"; and "Believe in the impossible!"
AS SEEN IN
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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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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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Jon and Jan are
EXCEPTIONAL ARTISTS AND SCIENTISTS.
Michael Zolensky
NASA JOhnson Space Center
SEM Collection
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Never forget: YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY STARDUST, inside and out.
Color Collection
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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.
Limited Edition
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
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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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.
