Astronomyplanetary Science News

"Scientists Hunt for Space Dust on English Cathedral Roofs"

Scientists are scouring the roofs of English cathedrals, such as Canterbury Cathedral, for cosmic dust particles known as micrometeorites. These tiny particles, which likely originate from comets and asteroids, provide valuable insights into the chemistry of asteroids and meteorites, as well as Earth's history and changes over time. Researchers are using vacuum cleaners to collect thousands of dust particles in the hopes of finding minuscule cosmic spherols, and are also exploring the potential influence of cosmic dust on Earth's chemistry and early prebiotic chemistry. The abundance of urban micrometeorites is opening up planetary science to a wider audience and providing a snapshot of the different processes and bodies in outer space.