Call for Citizen Scientists to Collect Space Dust
Residents and community groups are invited to participate in a citizen science initiative aimed at increasing understanding of micrometeorites—tiny particles from space that reach Earth.
The University of Plymouth's Cosmic Dust in the City project seeks to "inspire curiosity" and motivate individuals to safely search gutters and rooftops for micrometeorites.
Every day, millions of these particles, each measuring less than a millimetre and weighing under a gram, pass through Earth's atmosphere.
"This project will transform mundane rooftops and gutters all around Plymouth into portals to the cosmos," said Dr Stephen Grimes from the university's school of geography, earth and environment.
"Micrometeorites are samples of the Solar System's building blocks which can offer insights into early planetary formation, Earth's atmospheric history, and climate evolution."
"They are really small bits of space dust that have made their way from around the asteroid belt into the inner solar system and then travelled through our atmosphere and landed on our planet."
Variations Over Millions of Years
Dr Grimes explained that citizen scientists in Plymouth and nearby areas can help address a major challenge in urban micrometeorite research by accessing numerous sample sites and processing materials to develop a national archive.
"This will help researchers assess cosmic dust flux, identify variations over millions of years, and improve understanding of where and when particles enter the atmosphere and how they change once they have landed on Earth."
The project is a collaboration with The Box, Plymouth, and will proceed in three phases. It will begin with public talks and workshops held in schools, libraries, and community centres, along with guides and videos explaining micrometeorites and methods to locate them.
Spotting a Meteorite
Participants will be encouraged to collect sediment from rooftops and gutters, then use provided magnets, sieves, and microscopes to isolate potential micrometeorites.
"You just need a dustpan and brush to brush the stuff out of a gutter or off a flat roof," Dr Grimes said.
"You need a bowl to wash it in, to wash away that organic matter, a sieve to get it to the right size fraction and then a magnet to sort out the magnetic fraction because these micrometeorites have got iron in them."
The candidate particles isolated will be analysed at the Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre, and findings will be shared on a project website and through a public exhibition.
"It is almost impossible to see a micrometeorite with the naked eye," Dr Grimes noted.
"These particles measure less than a millimetre, meaning that if you look on the roof of your house or in a gutter, you wouldn't be able to distinguish something that has come from outer space from any other particles or debris."
Participants will receive detailed training on how to collect samples safely and send them to the laboratory to ensure safety and sample integrity.
"We want to make sure people aren't putting themselves in any danger but also so any samples being shared with us have a good chance to be a micrometeorite."
The project will provide equipment such as magnets and sieves to assist citizen scientists.
"If something has come from space, it will likely include metals that will attach to the magnet and the sieves will enable people to sift possible micrometeorites from other materials," Dr Grimes added.
"There is the wow factor for people. It's the opportunity for people to find their own bit of space rock."
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