Hardrock69
02-01-2006, 12:28 PM
http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/anim/stardust_reentrya.mov
Stardust Reentry Video (6 MB)
Credit: Mike Taylor, Utah State University
On Jan. 15th when the Stardust capsule ripped through Earth's atmosphere en route to a parachute landing in Utah, no one had a better view than scientists onboard NASA's DC-8 Airborne Laboratory, and they recorded a spectacular video.
The glowing head of this man-made meteor reached temperatures exceeding 4000 degrees F. Inside the capsule, delicate samples of dust collected from distant Comet Wild 2 were safe, protected from blistering heat by the capsule's external heat shield. The cargo is now being studied by scientists at the Johnson Space Center who believe it may reveal secrets of comets and the origin of the solar system.
BONUS: In addition to the man-made meteor, there are two natural meteors in the Stardust video. Can you find them? Hint: one is near the 4-second mark; the other near 59-seconds.
http://spaceweather.com/
Stardust Reentry Video (6 MB)
Credit: Mike Taylor, Utah State University
On Jan. 15th when the Stardust capsule ripped through Earth's atmosphere en route to a parachute landing in Utah, no one had a better view than scientists onboard NASA's DC-8 Airborne Laboratory, and they recorded a spectacular video.
The glowing head of this man-made meteor reached temperatures exceeding 4000 degrees F. Inside the capsule, delicate samples of dust collected from distant Comet Wild 2 were safe, protected from blistering heat by the capsule's external heat shield. The cargo is now being studied by scientists at the Johnson Space Center who believe it may reveal secrets of comets and the origin of the solar system.
BONUS: In addition to the man-made meteor, there are two natural meteors in the Stardust video. Can you find them? Hint: one is near the 4-second mark; the other near 59-seconds.
http://spaceweather.com/