3 ms·

The amount of matter which enters Earth's atmosphere from non-manmade sources is far higher than any conceivable amount of space junk today.

• ceejayoz 3mo ago
  But a significantly different makeup than plain old rock dust.
  • briandw 3mo ago
    Citation needed.
    • garbagewoman 3mo ago
      No citation required, just some light thinking
    • ceejayoz 3mo ago
      I’m not sure that “we don’t make satellites out of rock and ice” needs a cite, but here you go. https://research.noaa.gov/noaa-scientists-link-exotic-metal-particles-in-the-upper-atmosphere-to-rockets-satellites/ https://research.noaa.gov/noaa-scientists-link-exotic-metal-... > Niobium and hafnium do not occur as free elements in nature, but are refined from mineral ores. They are used in semiconductors and superalloys. > In addition to these two unusual elements, a significant number of particles contained copper, lithium and aluminum at concentrations far exceeding the abundance found in meteorics, or ‘space dust.’ “The combination of aluminum and copper, plus niobium and hafnium, which are used in heat-resistant, high-performance alloys, pointed us to the aerospace industry,’’ Murphy said.
  • ls612 3mo ago
    It is gonna be mostly aluminum, lithium, and silicon isn't it? Nothing too extraordinary or weird.