Our World: Stardust

Visit a lab at NASA's Johnson Space Center where scientists study meteorites. Learn how aerogel, the lightest material in the world helped capture pieces of a comet and return the comet dust to Earth. See what scientists can learn about our universe from these tiny particles.

Background Information

Grades K through 5

• NASA Space Place What Is a Comet?
• NASA JPL Stardust NASA's Comet Sample Return Mission
• NASA Space Place Thirsty? Have a Comet!

Grades K through 8

• NASA Aerogels: Thinner, Lighter, Stronger
• NASA Comets
• NASA Ideas That Gel
• NASA Solar System Exploration: Comets
• NASA JPL Aerogel: Catching Comet Dust
• NASA JPL Asteroids and Comets
• NASA Space Place Cosmic Car Crash

Grades 6 through 8

• NASA Comet Lithograph

Activities

Grades K through 8

• NASA Space Place Make a Comet on a Stick

Grades K through 12

• NASA JPL Create a Comet with Dry Ice