THE letter from Fr Con McGillicuddy (September 17) generated some sharp criticism — yet the basic principle he enunciated is entirely correct.

PRISTINE comet samples returned last weekend by the Stardust spacecraft after a 4.7-billion-kilometre journey wildly exceeded scientists' expectations, project managers said.

AN American space probe has entered the shimmering tail of a comet and is collecting hundreds of dust particles which will be returned to Earth for analysis.

An American space probe has entered the shimmering tail of a comet and is collecting hundreds of dust particles which will be returned to Earth for analysis.

A SPACECRAFT is on track to catch a comet by its tail later this week, capturing hundreds of specks of dust from the shimmering cloud that envelops the ball of ice and rock, according to NASA.