Researchers are diligently examining the roofs of cathedrals throughout Britain, hoping to discover ancient space dust that dates back billions of years. This cosmic debris could hold the key to unraveling the mysteries of our solar system’s origins and possibly shed light on the emergence of life itself.
Space Dust is 7 Billion Years Old
Researchers at the University of Kent are trying to explore how much space dust reaches our planet. The investigation is expected to explore around 13 cathedrals to explore the exotic material which they believe to be 7 billion years old. The scientists are optimistic that analyzing their discoveries under powerful microscopes will provide valuable insights into the formation of Earth’s oceans and life.
In Search of Extraterrestrial Life
Additionally, the data the scientists obtain could offer fresh perspectives on the potential existence of extraterrestrial life. Because of their large size and difficult accessibility, cathedral roofs serve as excellent locations to search for cosmic dust, Senior Lecturer in Space Science Dr Penny Wozniakiewicz said.
What is Space Dust
Space dust is the remaining debris of asteroids that disappear instantly upon arriving into earth’s atmosphere. The smaller particles with an average size of 0.3mm survive the atmospheric burn and settle on high attitude structures like cathedrals.
