Micrometeorite dust from outer space - everywhere
03.04.2025 - 04.10.2025 ,
Jura-Museum Eichstätt
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Micrometeorites are cosmic dust particles that fall to Earth from space every day. They are microscopically small particles of matter from moons, comets or asteroids that provide information about our solar system. The tiny rock particles heat up as they enter the atmosphere. After cooling, the crystals and glasses form fascinating sculptures that can only be recognised under a microscope.
With a size of 100 - 400 µm, the cosmic dust particles are barely recognisable to the naked eye. Dust particles in space can be observed from Earth as a glow of light when the particles reflect in the so-called zodiacal light shortly after sunset or shortly before sunrise. For a long time, it was considered impossible to detect material particles from space in populated areas due to industrial pollution and terrestrial dust.
The Norwegian researchers Jon Larsen and Jan Braly Kihle have succeeded in finding micrometeorites on house roofs and in gutters. They developed a special photographic technique to make the fascinating material particles visible to the naked eye. The large-format images focus on the strange and bizarre world of these extraterrestrial particles.
Last edited on 03.05.2025
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