NYT: Stardust (might) be identified

[RJN]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/03/scien ... rdust.html

Three specks of matter captured by the NASA spacecraft Stardust may be stardust that has just entered our solar system.

The first presumed interstellar particle — actually two distinct pieces — was found by a Canadian duster, Bruce Hudson, who retired as a carpenter and groundskeeper after a stroke. Mr. Hudson said he had looked through 25,000 images, spending as much as 5 to 10 hours a day at it. ...

For reasons not understood, the solar system has a higher percentage of oxygen-18 relative to oxygen-17. If the particles are indeed from beyond the solar system, their oxygen isotopes would contain the lower amounts seen elsewhere.