Kent scientists climb cathedral roofs to collect cosmic dust

Particles from asteroids and comets lie untouched for years, providing a time capsule of activity

As they clamber up cathedral walls wearing vacuum cleaner backpacks, the researchers look more like ghostbusters than planetary scientists. But for the team at the University of Kent, the equipment is crucial for collecting cosmic dust that becomes stranded on the ancient roofs after falling to Earth from space.

Dr Penny Wozniakiewicz and Dr Matthias van Ginneken plan to visit UK cathedrals in search of the exotic dust particles to understand how much material from space reaches Earth and becomes part of the planet or its atmosphere.