Interstellar Dust Particles

	The bright white dot near the center of this image is one of the brightest stars in our galaxy. The star is partially hidden behind interstellar dust (pink clouds).

Analysis of data from dust detectors aboard the Ulysses and Galileo spacecraft have revealed that there is a stream of interstellar dust flowing through our solar system. These grains, of unkown mineralogy, generally measure less than 1µm, and so are very difficult to collect at Earth by current techniques. These grains were collected on the STARDUST mission. Analysis of these particles will represent the most difficult challenge of the post-flight operations.

Study of these grains will help unlock the secrets of the stars, and the creation of chemical elements.