The Comet is Comming

Comet Dust Aflyin

It will brighten up the sky for a brief period, in the western desert of Utah.
It is a 100-pound capsule caring pieces of a comet. Zinging towards to the earth at 28,860 mph, more than enough to create a sonic boom.
At 2:57 am on Sunday morning Stardust, as it is called, will slide through the atmosphere at an altitude of 410,000 feet over the Nevada desert. 2 minutes later when the probe reaches 10,000 feet a drogue parachute will open, followed by a main parachute.
Why this is all so important. The Stardust is bringing home bits of a comet Wild 2. Researchers said the comet holds pieces left over from the formation of our solar system.
All of the particles are building blocks of planets and the sun, which could answer questions about the origins of the solar system.
If all goes well the Stardust will be picked up by The US Air Force of Utah Test and Training Range and taken to a clean-room at the US Army Proving Grounds in Tooele, Utah, pronounced (towilla)
The samples will then be transported to the Johnson’s Space Center in Huston, Texas.
This all sounds like fiction to the untrained person. It is even more difficult to write about and make it simple and interesting.
Passing near the comet a tennis-racket shaped collector grid, much like an ice-cube tray caught the debris. The ice-cube tray like grids is filled with Aerogel. Aerogel is a low-density but strong material that has a ghostly look to it. The comet debris sinks into the Aerogel like a pea shot into Jell-O. It is believed this Aerogel will hold leftover building material of the planets and sun. Scientist hope to learn about our solar system from this dust collected.
The particles collected will barely cover the bottom of a thimble.
Tiny particles, smaller than the width of a human hair, lodge them selves into the Areogel. This material will be sliced into smaller yet, sections for study.
This debris is made of the original building blocks of our solar system 4 ½ billion years ago.
If you were out in the west desert at 3am and if it was not cloudy, you could probably see the re-entry flame or light streak. But more than likely with it winter in Utah; you will just be able to hear the sonic boom.
For more info: http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov

National Geographic Guide Map: Utah