Micrometeorite hunting kit — 3D-printable model preview

AR view

Science & education Advanced

Micrometeorite hunting kit

Find real space dust in your roof gutter with a wash tray, a magnet sleeve and a loupe

Tonnes of space dust land on Earth every day, and in 2017 the amateur scientist Jon Larsen proved you can find it on city rooftops. Scoop sludge from a gutter, WASH it in water and pour off the mud, DRY it, then pass the MAGNET sleeve through it: most micrometeorites contain iron, so they cling to it. Pull the magnet out over the FIND bay and the grains drop free. Under a 60x loupe, look for tiny shiny spheres with a pattern of crystal stripes, 4.6-billion-year-old visitors from space.

Customize this model

Size (Base A): 180 × 100 × 25 mm
Shape: Rectangular
Walls: 2.4 mm
Volume: 68.2 cm³
Est. weight (PLA): 84.6 g
Parts to print: 1
Category: Science & education
Made by: Krypto
Built in: 52 steps

What’s in it

Rectangular, 180 × 100 × 25 mm, with 2.4 mm walls
3 dividers
Engraved text: “WASH”, “DRY”, “MAGNET”, “FIND”
One more base built on (Base B)
Base B: round, Ø 18 mm, 70 mm tall (beside)

How to print it

Drop a strong magnet into the sleeve, drag it through the dried dust, then pull the magnet out over the FIND bay and the particles fall off.

Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

Filament: at most about 84.6 g of PLA printed solid (roughly $1.69 at $20 per kg); normal infill uses less.

To get the files, open it in the generator and choose File › Download STL (one file per part) or Download 3MF (every part on one plate).

Questions

What size is the micrometeorite hunting kit model?

The micrometeorite hunting kit model measures 180 × 100 × 25 mm (width × depth × height). That is Base A; one more base is built on. You can change every size in the free SO3D.xyz generator before you download it.

Does it need supports?

No. Drop a strong magnet into the sleeve, drag it through the dried dust, then pull the magnet out over the FIND bay and the particles fall off. Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

How much filament does it use?

At most about 84.6 g of PLA (68.2 cm³ printed solid), roughly $1.69 of filament at $20 per kg. Normal infill uses less.

Can I change it?

Yes. Open it in the SO3D.xyz generator (free, in your browser), change the size, walls, dividers, holes, text or anything else, then download it as STL or 3MF for your slicer.

More science & education

Newton colour wheel spinner

Show that the spectrum colours mix to white

Simple

Kaleidoscope body for three mirror strips

Make a kaleidoscope

Multi-part assembly

Weather sensor radiation shield

Shield a weather sensor from sun and rain

Multi-part assembly

Eclipse viewer frame

Hold solar viewing film safely

Medium

Water clock

Measure time with dripping water

Medium

Junior forensic lab

Dust and match fingerprints and unmask a pen with ink chromatography

Advanced

Raindrop-size flour tray

Measure the size of raindrops by catching them in flour

Multi-part assembly

Strawberry DNA extraction lab

Pull visible strands of DNA out of a strawberry with soap, salt and cold alcohol

Advanced

See all 71 in Science & education

Make it fit your space

Change the size, walls, dividers, holes and labels of the micrometeorite hunting kit model in your browser, then download it for your printer. Free, no CAD needed.

Customize this model