Stardust capsule returns to Earth

[htuttle]

A capsule containing comet particles and interstellar dust has landed on Earth after a seven-year space mission.

The US Stardust probe released the capsule as it flew back to Earth after a 3 billion-mile (4.7 billion km) trip.

The capsule plunged through the atmosphere and touched down in the Utah desert at 0312 (1012 GMT).

Scientists believe the first cometary dust samples ever returned to Earth will shed light on the origins of the Solar System.

(snip)

The Stardust mothership has now completed its main mission and has been sent into orbit around the Sun.

(more at link)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4614222.stm

The parachute worked this time!

[NNadir]

1. This is thrilling.

I believe we had a similar mission that was destroyed on the return to earth. I didn't realize we had this out there until this morning when I heard it landed.

[Duer 157099]

2. And check this out:

http://stardustathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/participation.html

They're asking people to participate in the analysis of the microscopic images (projected available in March).

I was out looking at a clear sky last night, hoping to see the streak, but I saw nothin' and was disappointed... not sure how i missed it.