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Cosmic fragments analysed in Manchester

07/02/2008

Tiny pieces of cosmic material are being analysed in Manchester after they were captured by Nasa during a space mission.

Scientists at the University of Manchester hope to discover what space was like billions of years ago.

The university is part of a UK consortium chosen by Nasa to examine the materials. The School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences is analysing the fragments using cutting-edge equipment.

Dr Jamie Gilmour, a scientist working on the project, said: "We are extremely excited to have received the material from Nasa.

"We hope these samples will give us a snapshot of what the solar system was like when it started to form more than 4.5 billion years ago."

The project in Manchester is being funded by the Science and Technologies Facilities Council, which is one of Europe's largest multidisciplinary research organisations.

It not only supports scientists and engineers but provides advice to the UK government.