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Stardust

Stardust, or cosmic dust, comprises microscopic particles dispersed throughout interstellar space, primarily consisting of silicates, graphite, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons forged through stellar processes such as nucleosynthesis and supernova explosions.^[1] These grains, typically ranging from nanometers to micrometers in size, originate from the atmospheres of evolved stars and the remnants of stellar detonations, serving as key components of the interstellar medium.^[2] Beyond their role in cloud chemistry and shielding ultraviolet radiation, stardust particles aggregate with gas to trigger gravitational collapse, enabling the birth of protostellar disks and planetary systems, including our own Solar System's primordial nebula.^[3] Isotopic analysis of meteoritic presolar grains—ancient stardust preserved in carbonaceous chondrites—reveals distinct signatures from asymptotic giant branch stars and supernovae, confirming their extraterrestrial origins predating the Sun by billions of years.^[4] Heavier elements within stardust, such as carbon and oxygen, form the atomic basis for organic compounds and biological structures on Earth, underscoring the causal link between stellar evolution and life's emergence.^[3]^[4] This concept gained prominence through spectroscopic observations of interstellar extinction and theoretical models of stellar yields, with missions like NASA's Stardust providing direct samples of cometary dust to validate models of dust composition and dynamics.^[2] While laboratory simulations and telescope data affirm stardust's ubiquity—estimated at 10^-6 particles per cubic centimeter in local space—ongoing research addresses gaps in dust formation rates and coagulation efficiency under varying metallicities.^[1] The notion, poetically encapsulated as "star stuff" by astronomer Carl Sagan, emphasizes empirical evidence from big bang nucleosynthesis limits, wherein only light elements formed initially, necessitating stellar factories for complexity.^[4]

Science and cosmology

Cosmic and interstellar dust

Interstellar dust consists of microscopic solid particles, typically with radii between 0.005 and 1 μm, dispersed within the interstellar medium (ISM) and comprising about 1% of its total mass in the Milky Way by mass.^[5] These grains include amorphous silicates (such as olivine and pyroxene), carbonaceous species like graphite, diamond, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as well as volatile ices of water, CO, CO₂, and methanol, identified through characteristic infrared absorption features at 9.7 μm and 18 μm for silicates and 3-4 μm for ices.^[6]^[7] Grains form primarily via nucleation and condensation in the outflows of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, which contribute the majority of dust in the Milky Way, and in the cooling ejecta of core-collapse supernovae, with additional input from Type Ia supernovae and novae.^[8]^[9] Subsequent evolution in the ISM involves growth by accretion of gas-phase atoms, coagulation during cloud collisions, shattering in shocks, and sputtering, resulting in a size distribution approximated by a power law n(a) ∝ a^{-3.5}, where n(a) da is the number density of grains with radii between a and a + da, peaking in mass near 0.1-0.3 μm to match observed extinction curves.^[10] Detection occurs via selective extinction and scattering of starlight, causing dimming (up to several magnitudes in dense regions) and reddening of stellar spectra, as well as thermal re-emission in the far-infrared and submillimeter wavelengths, observable by telescopes like Spitzer and Herschel.^[11] Polarization of transmitted light from aligned grains, induced by paramagnetic inclusions responding to the galactic magnetic field, provides further evidence of non-spherical shapes.^[11] Interstellar dust drives key ISM processes: grains catalyze H₂ formation by enabling physisorbed H atoms to diffuse and recombine, releasing 4.48 eV per molecule and dominating gas-phase production in cold, dense environments; they shield molecular clouds from UV dissociation, fostering complex chemistry; absorb stellar UV/optical photons and re-radiate ~30% of the Galaxy's bolometric luminosity in the infrared; and facilitate radiative cooling in protostellar cores, enabling gravitational collapse for star formation.^[12]^[13]^[11] In galaxies, dust cycles trace metal enrichment, with production rates balancing destruction by shocks and star formation consumption over cosmic time.^[11]

NASA's Stardust mission

The Stardust mission, part of NASA's Discovery Program, aimed to collect and return extraterrestrial samples from the coma of comet 81P/Wild 2, marking the first dedicated U.S. spacecraft to retrieve cometary material for Earth-based analysis.^[2] Launched on February 7, 1999, aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, the spacecraft traveled approximately 3.2 billion kilometers over its primary phase, employing gravity assists from Earth (in 2001) and the Sun's gravitational influence to reach the comet.^[14] In addition to cometary dust, Stardust captured interstellar particles using aerogel collectors, providing direct samples from beyond the inner solar system.^[15] On January 2, 2004, Stardust executed a close flyby of Wild 2 at a minimum distance of 236 kilometers from the nucleus, approaching at 6.1 kilometers per second relative velocity.^[16] During the encounter, the spacecraft deployed a comet dust collector with silica aerogel blocks to capture particles from the coma, while a separate interstellar dust collector remained sealed until post-flyby deployment.^[2] Instruments including a microscope camera, dust analyzer, and navigators captured images revealing Wild 2's irregular, pitted nucleus approximately 5 kilometers in diameter, with jets of gas and dust emanating from surface features.^[16] The mission successfully survived hypervelocity particle impacts, though some damaged the solar panels and Whipple shields.^[17] The sample return capsule, containing the aerogel with captured particles, separated from the spacecraft on January 14, 2006, and reentered Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean, landing at 2:10 a.m. MST on January 15, 2006, at the Utah Test and Training Range near Dugway.^[18] Over 1,100 cometary particles larger than 1 micrometer were extracted from the aerogel, alongside interstellar grains confirmed via tracks indicating velocities exceeding 10 kilometers per second relative to the Sun.^[2] Analysis yielded over 20,000 tracks from submicrometer interstellar candidates, though definitive identification required isotopic and compositional verification.^[19] Scientific findings from the returned samples challenged prior models of cometary origins, revealing minerals formed at high temperatures (above 1,000°C) such as calcium-aluminum inclusions and silicates, indicating Wild 2 likely accreted beyond Neptune but incorporated inner solar system material via radial mixing early in the solar system's history.^[19] Organic compounds, including glycine—an amino acid precursor to proteins—were detected, suggesting comets may have delivered life's building blocks to early Earth, though abiotic formation mechanisms remain debated.^[20] The samples' diversity, with low volatile content compared to expectations, underscored comets' role as repositories of primitive solar nebula material rather than uniform "dirty snowballs."^[21] Post-return, the spacecraft was repurposed for the Stardust-NExT extension, imaging comet Tempel 1 in 2011, but the primary mission's samples continue to inform models of solar system formation.^[22]

Arts and entertainment

Music

"Stardust" is a jazz standard composed in 1927 by Hoagy Carmichael as an instrumental melody inspired by his experiences at Indiana University.^[23] The piece was first recorded on October 31, 1927, by Carmichael and his ensemble, known as Hoagy Carmichael and His Pals—featuring Emil Seidel on violin, Fred Rollison on piano, and Carmichael on piano—at Gennett Records in Richmond, Indiana.^[24] This early version captured the song's dreamy, wistful quality, drawing from Carmichael's exposure to improvisational jazz influences like Bix Beiderbecke.^[25] Lyrics were added in 1929 by Mitchell Parish, transforming the instrumental into a romantic ballad about longing and memory, with lines evoking "the memory of your lips" and "a kiss ago."^[23] Parish's words elevated its appeal, leading to widespread adoption in the Great American Songbook. The song's structure, in AABA form with a 32-bar chorus, lent itself to jazz improvisation, contributing to its status as one of the most enduring standards.^[24] "Stardust" has been recorded over 1,500 times across genres, from big band to country, underscoring its versatility and timeless popularity.^[23] Notable versions include Bing Crosby's 1939 rendition, which helped popularize the vocal form; Nat King Cole's 1957 Capitol Records track, praised for its intimate phrasing; and Willie Nelson's 1978 interpretation on his album of the same name, blending country inflections with the original melody.^[24] Frank Sinatra's 1940s and later recordings further cemented its place in vocal jazz, with his smooth timbre highlighting the song's emotional depth.^[26] In 2004, the Library of Congress added the original 1927 recording to the National Recording Registry, recognizing its cultural significance.^[23] Beyond the standard, "Stardust" inspired derivative works, such as the 1987 revue musical compiling 35 songs by Parish, including the title track alongside "Deep Purple" and "Moonlight Serenade," which toured and highlighted his lyric contributions to jazz repertoire.^[27] The song's melody has also appeared in instrumental jazz contexts, with artists like Les Brown and His Band of Renown delivering swinging big-band arrangements in the 1950s.^[28] Its influence persists in modern jazz education, where it serves as a benchmark for ballad interpretation and harmonic subtlety.^[24]

Literature

"Stardust" is a fantasy novel written by Neil Gaiman and first published in 1999. The narrative centers on Tristran Thorn, a resident of the English village of Wall bordering the faerie realm, who promises to retrieve a fallen star for Victoria Forester in exchange for her affection; discovering the star to be an incarnate woman named Yvaine, Tristran navigates perils including rival princes seeking a royal heirloom and a coven of witches intent on consuming Yvaine's heart for eternal youth. Illustrated by Charles Vess, the work originated as a four-issue comic miniseries serialized by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint from 1997 to 1998 before its prose edition by Avon Books.^[29]^[30] The novel draws on fairy tale traditions while incorporating elements of romance, adventure, and subtle horror, spanning 288 pages in its initial hardcover release and earning praise for Gaiman's economical prose and Vess's evocative artwork. It received the 2000 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Awards, reflecting its critical acclaim among speculative fiction readers. Gaiman has described the story as an adult-oriented fairy tale inspired by Victorian fantasists like Lord Dunsany, emphasizing themes of maturation and wonder over moral didacticism.^[31]^[32] Other literary works bearing the title include "Star-Dust" (1921) by Fannie Hurst, a semi-autobiographical novel depicting the aspirations of a Jewish immigrant family in New York's entertainment industry, and "Stardust" (2011) by Carla Stewart, a contemporary fiction piece about a widow inheriting and restoring a rundown roadside motel amid personal reckoning. These differ markedly from Gaiman's cosmic-tinged fantasy, with Hurst's focusing on early 20th-century urban realism and Stewart's on themes of legacy and redemption in mid-20th-century America.^[33]

Film and adaptations

Stardust is a 2007 romantic fantasy adventure film directed by Matthew Vaughn and co-written by Vaughn and Jane Goldman, adapting Neil Gaiman's 1999 novel of the same name.^[34] The story follows Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox), a young man from the English village of Wall who crosses into the magical realm of Stormhold to retrieve a fallen star named Yvaine (Claire Danes) as a gift for his love interest, Victoria (Sienna Miller). Along the way, he encounters pirates led by Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro), witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), and princes vying for the throne. The film features voice narration by Ian McKellen and supporting roles by Ricky Gervais, Kate Magowan, and Peter O'Toole.^[34] ^[35] Production began after Vaughn acquired the rights, with principal photography occurring in 2006 at locations including Iceland, Scotland, and England, utilizing practical effects and CGI for fantastical elements like flying ships and magical transformations. Vaughn aimed to blend fairy-tale whimsy with swashbuckling adventure, diverging from the novel by expanding comedic elements, altering character arcs—such as making Tristan more heroic—and adding scenes like the pirate airship sequences not present in the book. Gaiman approved the changes, noting the film's faithful spirit despite deviations.^[34] ^[36] Released on August 10, 2007, by Paramount Pictures in the United States, the film earned a 77% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its visual effects, humor, and ensemble cast, though some noted pacing issues and tonal inconsistencies.^[35] Audience reception has been positive, with an IMDb rating of 7.6/10 from over 295,000 users, often citing it as a cult favorite for its charm and rewatchability despite initial mixed reviews.^[34] With a $70 million budget, Stardust grossed $38.6 million domestically and $98.9 million internationally, totaling $137.5 million worldwide, performing modestly at the box office amid competition from films like Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.^[37] ^[38] No major theatrical sequels or further film adaptations have been produced, though the property has seen a 2008 BBC radio dramatization and graphic novel reprints tied to the film's promotion.^[34]

Other uses

The Stardust Resort and Casino was a prominent hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada, that operated from July 2, 1958, until its closure on November 1, 2006.^[39] ^[40] Initially featuring over 1,000 rooms, it symbolized mid-20th-century glamour and innovation, with its Space Age-themed signage designed by Ad Art's Paul Miller.^[40] ^[41] Ownership included figures like Moe Dalitz, linked to organized crime networks from Cleveland, reflecting the era's mob influence in Las Vegas gaming.^[42] The property's main towers were imploded on March 13, 2007, to make way for redevelopment.^[40] The Stardust brand has since been revived for online casinos in states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania.^[43]

References

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What is stardust? Understanding the secrets of the Solar System
Nov 19, 2020 · Scientists are looking for remnants of ancient red giant stars that were present in the dust disc out of which our Solar System formed. Credit: ...
[2]
Stardust / Stardust NExT - NASA Science
NASA's Stardust was the first spacecraft to bring samples from a comet to Earth, and the first NASA mission to return particles from beyond the Earth Moon ...
[3]
Are we made of stardust? | Natural History Museum
Our planetary scientist, Dr Ashley King explains how, because of this spectacular phenomenon, we might actually be made of stardust.
[4]
We Are Stardust | AMNH
Every atom of oxygen in our lungs and carbon in our muscles was created inside a star before Earth was born.
[5]
[PDF] Interstellar Emission
Dust to Gas Ratio. • In the MW the average dust to gas ratio (by mass) is. ~100. • This gives a relationship between AV and N(H) the column density for a given.
[6]
Dust Formation in Astrophysical Environments: The Importance of ...
May 24, 2022 · Direct information on the composition of interstellar dust is mainly derived from infrared spectroscopy. Broad 9.7 and 18 μm bands, dominating ...Introduction · Thermodynamics Versus... · Carbon Dust · Concluding Remarks
[7]
The composition of interstellar dust. - NASA ADS
Direct evidence that interstellar dust is composed partly of silicates, graphite, and water ice is reviewed. Indirect evidence, from recent studies of the ...
[8]
Composition and quantities of dust produced by AGB-stars and ...
The composition of the dust mixture and the amounts of dust returned into the interstellar medium during the evolution of low and intermediate mass stars on ...
[9]
Interstellar Dust - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Interstellar dust is formed as stardust in the cool atmospheres of giant stars and in nova and supernova explosions. More than a decade ago, interstellar dust ...
[10]
dust grain size distribution - Interstellar Dust - B.T. Draine
The mass distribution must peak near ~ 0.3 µm in order to reproduce the observed extinction near visual wavelengths. The peak in the PAH distribution near .0005 ...Missing: medium | Show results with:medium
[11]
An Overview of Observations and Theories of Interstellar Dust
Interstellar dust plays a vital role in the evolution of galaxies. Besides providing ~ 30% of the total Galactic luminosity via their IR emission.Missing: composition | Show results with:composition
[12]
[PDF] H2 formation on interstellar dust grains - Pure
Nov 21, 2017 · Indeed, it is now well established that H2 formation occurs via catalytic reactions on surfaces of interstellar dust grains. Fig. 2.<|control11|><|separator|>
[13]
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This article has been written to present what we think we know about the H 2 formation in a variety of interstellar environments.
[14]
[PDF] Stardust Launch - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Feb 6, 1999 · NASA's Stardust mission, scheduled for launch February 6, 1999 from Cape Canaveral,. FL, will send a spacecraft flying through the cloud of dust ...
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[PDF] Stardust Sample Return - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Jan 15, 2006 · NASA's Stardust mission is nearing Earth after a 2.88 billion mile round-trip journey to return cometary and interstellar dust particles back ...
[16]
Stardust encounters comet 81P/Wild 2 - Tsou - 2004 - AGU Journals
Stardust successfully encountered comet 81P/Wild 2 on 2 January 2004 at a distance of 236.4 ± 1 km. All encounter investigations acquired valuable new and ...
[17]
Stardust - Comet Missions - NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Stardust was the first spacecraft to return a cometary sample and extraterrestrial material from outside the orbit of the moon to Earth.
[18]
NASA's Stardust Sample Return was 10 Years Ago Today
Jan 15, 2016 · The sample return capsule from NASA's Stardust mission successfully landed at the US Air Force's Utah Test and Training Range in Dugway, Utah, at 2:10 am ...<|separator|>
[19]
Stardust: Comet and interstellar dust sample return mission - 2003
Thus the Stardust mission will return the first extraterrestrial samples from a known planetary body by a spacecraft since the Apollo and Luna moon flights and ...
[20]
Stardust | Missions - NASA Astrobiology
Mission Overview. The primary goal of the Stardust mission was to collect samples of a comet and return them to Earth for laboratory analysis.
[21]
81P/Wild (Wild 2) - Comets - NASA Science
Comet Wild 2 was discovered by Paul Wild on Jan. 6, 1978 ... In this pair of images taken by NASA's Stardust mission, we see the nucleus of comet Wild 2.
[22]
Stardust/NExT - Comet Missions - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Feb. 7, 1999. Type. Flyby Spacecraft. Target. Asteroids and Comets. Status. Past. About the mission. Stardust-NExT was a follow-on mission that repurposed ...
[23]
[PDF] “Stardust”—Hoagy Carmichael (1927) - Library of Congress
Hoagland Howard “Hoagy” Carmichael (1899-1981) composed one of the most popular and enduring jazz standards of the 20th century. “Stardust” has been recorded ...
[24]
Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals (Star Dust)
On October 31, 1927, Hoagy Carmichael and His Pals recorded “Stardust” at the Gennett Records studio in Richmond, Indiana. Hoagy's “pals,” Emil Seidel and ...
[25]
'Stardust' : NPR
Dec 11, 2000 · In 1927, Hoagy Carmichael wrote a melody that would become one of the greatest hits of all time, "Stardust."
[26]
Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael & His Orchestra - Songfacts
She met Mitchell Parish at a club, and he liked her rendition of Stardust, but he advised her to sing one line differently...he said his original lyrics were, " ...
[27]
Stardust | Concord Theatricals
Stardust gathers together 35 of Mitchell Parish's most enchanting songs. Included are “Deep Purple,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Don't Be That Way,” ...
[28]
Les Brown & His Band of Renown - Stardust (Columbia Records 1954)
Jan 16, 2018 · "Stardust" is a popular song composed in 1927 by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics added in 1929 by Mitchell Parish.<|separator|>
[29]
Stardust Summary and Study Guide - SuperSummary
The novel was originally published in 1999, though an illustrated comic book miniseries preceded the prose text in 1997, along with a full-length illustrated ...
[30]
Stardust Book Review | Common Sense Media
Rating 3.0 · Review by Matt BermanJan 30, 2025 · Parents need to know that there's a graphic sex scene early in the book and other references to sex and erections as the pages turn.
[31]
Stardust by Neil Gaiman - Fantasy Book Review
Rating 9.4/10 (1) If you haven't lost all sense of romance, and are able to still believe in the beauty of stars, Stardust is absolutely a must read.Missing: titled | Show results with:titled
[32]
Stardust: Gaiman, Neil: 9780061142024: Amazon.com: Books
Rich with adventure and magic, Stardust is one of master storyteller Neil Gaiman's most beloved tales, and the inspiration for the hit movie.
[33]
Stardust: A Novel: Stewart, Carla: 9781455504282 - Amazon.com
30-day returnsShortly after burying her unfaithful husband, Georgia Peyton unexpectedly inherits the derelict Stardust motel from a distant relative.
[34]
Stardust (2007) - IMDb
Rating 7.6/10 (295,302) In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical ...Full cast & crew · User reviews · Stardust · Home Video Trailer from...
[35]
Stardust | Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 77% (197) To win the heart of his beloved (Sienna Miller), a young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) ventures into the realm of fairies to retrieve a fallen star.197 Reviews · Cast and Crew · Trailers & Videos
[36]
Stardust Is Still One of the Best Neil Gaiman Adaptations Out There
Gaiman's work makes crossing mediums look easy, but the 2007 Stardust film remains one of the best adaptations of his work...<|separator|>
[37]
Stardust - Box Office Mojo
Stardust grossed $137,515,140 worldwide, with $38,634,938 domestically and $98,880,202 internationally.
[38]
Stardust (2007) - Box Office and Financial Information - The Numbers
Opening Weekend: $9,169,779 (23.7% of total gross). Legs: 4.21 (domestic box office/biggest weekend). Domestic Share: 28.2% (domestic box office/worldwide).
[39]
History - Stardust Social Casino
Opened on July 2, 1958, the Stardust Casino quickly emerged as a symbol of luxury, innovation, and glamour on the Las Vegas Strip.
[40]
Vegas History: 16 years since Stardust casino's main towers imploded
Mar 13, 2023 · Construction on the casino began in 1955 and the Stardust opened on July 2, 1958. At the time, it had more than 1,000 hotel rooms and was the ...
[41]
Stardust Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas - The Neon Museum
The Stardust Resort & Casino, opened in 1958, embodied the excitement of the era's Space Age, with its mega-pylon designed by Ad Art's Paul Miller.
[42]
The Stardust: Pittsburgh's mob outpost in Vegas - History Sidebar
Dec 22, 2020 · The Stardust Hotel and Casino opened in 1958. Its owners included Cleveland racketeers Moe Dalitz, Morris Kleinman, Ben Rothkopf, and Samuel Tucker.<|separator|>
[43]
Stardust Casino in NJ, PA, Ontario: Play Online Casino Games for ...
Play your favorite casino games Slots, Blackjack, Roulette & More! Experience the thrill of Stardust Casino, your premier destination to play online casino