What can we learn from these particles?

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Allen
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What can we learn from these particles?

Post by Allen »

And how are they going to better our understanding of our universe? :?: :?


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Siegfried
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Post by Siegfried »

Yes, in this aspect of our universe. Remember, in our...dynamic universe, understanding the universe involves the understanding of the extra six (and SOMETIMES seven) microdimensions, and also the malleability (sp?) of space. :D
And God said: E = +mv^2 - Ze^2/r ...and there *WAS* light!

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PeteSeeker
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Post by PeteSeeker »

sometimes you don't know what you can learn form something untill you've already learned it...
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Aquila Hawk
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Post by Aquila Hawk »

Speaking as a geology major here:
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------------------That

Essentially, what we can learn from this is the composition and potential age of other star systems. Other then that, I'm not sure what can be done, but there is a talented and dedicated group of researchers who probably know much more on what they can do with the dust grains.
Everyone talks about SOH CAH TOA, but no one ever talks about CHO SHA CAO.
Sundevil
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Post by Sundevil »

I'm wondering if they will be able to extract these dust particles and anyalze them.
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Post by Siegfried »

Well, certainly they're going to. I'm wondering how. Where do you get a claw that small? Can dust grains be scratched?
And God said: E = +mv^2 - Ze^2/r ...and there *WAS* light!

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Post by DustTrailFinder »

This is from the UCBerkeley Press Release page

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/rele ... dust.shtml :

"It's amazing that Stardust flew without anyone having a clue as to how to get particles out of the aerogel after it came back," Westphal said. "You have to give NASA credit for taking a risk."

During Stardust's quiet journey to a rendezvous with a comet, however, Westphal led a team that created tools for extracting both comet grains and interstellar dust grains. Working with Chris Keller, formerly at the Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center and now at MEMS Precision Instruments, he developed microtweezers and what he calls micro-pickle forks to pull comet grains from the aerogel for detailed analysis of their elemental and isotopic composition. The abundances and composition within comet grains will tell scientists about the conditions in the early solar system.

These same techniques will be used to extract interstellar dust grains, but first they have to be found.
Sundevil
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Post by Sundevil »

I remember reading that press release now.
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