image: An Itokawa dust particle is viewed under optical microscope. The particle is transparent but contains small black inclusions. The surface of this particle is altered by space weathering. From "Itokawa Dust Particles: A Direct Link Between S-Type Asteroids and Ordinary Chondrites," by Tomoki Nakamura and colleagues. This image relates to a paper that appeared in the Dec. 23, 2011, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The paper, by Science News staff in Washington D.C., was titled, “Breakthrough of the Year.” view more
Credit: Image © JAXA/ISIS