In search of stardust : amazing micrometeorites and their terrestrial imposters

"Tiny pieces of space rock called micrometeorites are everywhere on Earth. In Search of Stardust shows you how to find them!The solar system is a dusty place. Every day approximately 100 metric tons of cosmic dust collides with Earth, mainly in the form of micrometeorites. Most of these mineral particles (iron, nickel, etc.) are smaller than grains of sand, and they are falling down on us all the time and all over the globe. Still, little is known about these exotic extraterrestrials. In Search of Stardust is the first comprehensive popular science book about micrometeorites. It's also a photo documentary comprising more than 1,500 previously unpublished images: the first atlas of micrometeorites, hundreds of which are depicted here in high-resolution color microscopic photography and in scanning electron microscope imagery. Author Jon Larsen shows readers how and where to look for micrometeorites, explains the history of micrometeoritics, and offers chapters about micrometeorite formation, classification, and analysis. Thanks to Larsen's work, for the first time it is now possible for anyone to find these amazing tiny stones from space. For more than a century it was believed these incredible space objects could be found only in pristine, unsullied environs like Antarctica and ocean floors. Larsen became the first to break the code and find micrometeorites in populated areas -- in fact, they can be found in the nearest rain gutter. In the book Larsen explains how anyone with a bit of inexpensive equipment can find their own micrometeorites. It was recently discovered that King Tut's dagger was forged from a chunk of a meteorite. What else is made of extraterrestrial rock? Join the hunt!"--;Preface. The stardust project ; Verification of micrometeorites ; Origin, formation, influx, and classification -- Micrometeorites. Scanning-electron micrographs ; The new collection -- Extraterrestrial spherules. Ablation spherules ; The enigmatic chondrules -- Anthropogenic spherules. I-type magnetic spherules ; Massive iron spherules ; Nuggets, beads, and cores ; From the welding shop ; Sparks ; Nonmagnetic glass spherules ; Spherules from a steam locomotive ; Mineral wool ; A case of anthropogenic spherules ; Fireworks ; Black magnetic spherules ; Roof tiles and shingles ; Metallic carbon cinder ; Red scoriaceous spherules ; Traces of man ; Other types of spherules -- Terrestrial objects. Rounded mineral grains ; Magnetite ; Fulgurites ; Organic confusion ; Microtektites and microkrystites ; Lonar crater spherules ; Darwin glass ; Volchovites: a Russian mystery ; Iberulites ; Ooids and pisoids ; Pele's tears: achneliths ; Road dust crystals. Tiny pieces of space rock called micrometeorites are everywhere on Earth. In Search of Stardust shows you how to find them and keep them safe. The solar system is a dusty place. Every day approximately 100 metric tons of cosmic dust collides with Earth, mainly in the form of micrometeorites. Most of these mineral particles (iron, nickel, etc.) are smaller than grains of sand, and they are falling down on us all the time and all over the globe. Still, little is known about these exotic extraterrestrials. In Search of Stardust is the first comprehensive popular science book about micrometeorites. It's also a photo documentary comprising more than 1,500 previously unpublished images: the first atlas of micrometeorites, hundreds of which are depicted here in high-resolution color microscopic photography and in scanning electron microscope imagery. Author Jon Larsen shows readers how and where to look for micrometeorites, explains the history of micrometeoritics, and offers chapters about micrometeorite formation, classification, and analysis. Thanks to Larsen's work, for the first time it is now possible for anyone to find these amazing tiny stones from space. For more than a century it was believed these incredible space objects could be found only in pristine, unsullied environs like Antarctica and ocean floors. Larsen became the first to break the code and find micrometeorites in populated areas -- in fact, they can be found in the nearest rain gutter. In the book Larsen explains how anyone with a bit of inexpensive equipment can find their own micrometeorites. It was recently discovered that King Tut's dagger was forged from a chunk of a meteorite. What else is made of extraterrestrial rock? Join the hunt! "Tiny pieces of space rock called micrometeorites are everywhere on Earth. In Search of Stardust shows you how to find them!The solar system is a dusty place. Every day approximately 100 metric tons of cosmic dust collides with Earth, mainly in the form of micrometeorites. Most of these mineral particles (iron, nickel, etc.) are smaller than grains of sand, and they are falling down on us all the time and all over the globe. Still, little is known about these exotic extraterrestrials. In Search of Stardust is the first comprehensive popular science book about micrometeorites. It's also a photo documentary comprising more than 1,500 previously unpublished images: the first atlas of micrometeorites, hundreds of which are depicted here in high-resolution color microscopic photography and in scanning electron microscope imagery. Author Jon Larsen shows readers how and where to look for micrometeorites, explains the history of micrometeoritics, and offers chapters about micrometeorite formation, classification, and analysis. Thanks to Larsen's work, for the first time it is now possible for anyone to find these amazing tiny stones from space. For more than a century it was believed these incredible space objects could be found only in pristine, unsullied environs like Antarctica and ocean floors. Larsen became the first to break the code and find micrometeorites in populated areas -- in fact, they can be found in the nearest rain gutter. In the book Larsen explains how anyone with a bit of inexpensive equipment can find their own micrometeorites. It was recently discovered that King Tut's dagger was forged from a chunk of a meteorite. What else is made of extraterrestrial rock? Join the hunt!"-- Amazon.com Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 4 Contents......Page 7 Preface......Page 9 The Stardust Project......Page 11 Verification of Micrometeorites......Page 13 Origin, Formation, Influx, and Classification......Page 14 Scanning-Electron Micrographs......Page 19 The New Collection......Page 26 Ablation Spherules......Page 78 The Enigmatic Chondrules......Page 81 I-Type Magnetic Spherules......Page 85 Massive Iron Spherules......Page 89 Nuggets, Beads, and Cores......Page 90 From the Welding Shop......Page 93 Sparks......Page 94 Nonmagnetic Glass Spherules......Page 96 Spherules from a Steam Locomotive......Page 98 Mineral Wool......Page 101 A Case Study of Anthropogenic Spherules......Page 103 Fireworks......Page 105 Black Magnetic Spherules......Page 109 Roof Tiles and Shingles......Page 113 Metallic Carbon Cinder......Page 115 Red Scoriaceous Spherules......Page 117 Traces of Man......Page 121 Other Types of Spherules......Page 122 Rounded Mineral Grains......Page 125 Magnetite......Page 127 Fulgurites......Page 129 Organic Confusion......Page 132 Microtektites and Microkrystites......Page 135 Lonar Crater Spherules......Page 136 Darwin Glass......Page 138 Volchovites—A Russian Mystery......Page 139 Iberulites......Page 143 Ooids And Pisoids......Page 145 Pele’s Tears—Achneliths......Page 147 Road Dust Crystals......Page 149 Thanks......Page 152 Tabula Gratulatoria......Page 153 Y......Page 154 In Search of Stardust is the first comprehensive popular science book about micrometeorites. It's illustrated with 1,500 previously unpublished images from high-resolution color microscopes and scanning electron microscopes