Samples Returned to Earth from Comet 81P/Wild 2 by the Stardust Spacecraft

Abstract

The Stardust spacecraft collected samples of dust from the coma of Comet 81P/Wild 2 in January 2004 and returned them to Earth in January 2006. The samples consist of a very heterogeneous mix of mineral and organic components that show the comet had a complex formation history. In my talk I will provide a brief overview of the Stardust mission and will discuss what it has taught us about the nature of comets and the origin of the Solar System. I will also discuss organics found in the samples since cometary organics may have played a role in the origin of life on Earth.