Comet Wild 2

Comet Wild 2 is a comet that orbits the Sun, characterized by a rocky and icy nucleus. It gained attention when NASA’s Stardust mission flew through its coma (the surrounding cloud of gas and dust) in 2004, collecting particles for study. These samples provide insights into the early solar system's formation, as comets like Wild 2 are considered to be remnants of the solar system's initial materials. Its study helps scientists understand the building blocks of planets and the processes that shaped our celestial neighborhood billions of years ago.