In search of stardust: amazing micrometeorites and their terrestrial imposters

Description

"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 It's also a photo documentary comprising more than 1,500 previously unpublished images: the first atlas of micrometeorites, hundreds of which are depicted here in high-resolution color microscopic photography and in scanning electron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.