Scientists have likely gathered seven specks of stardust from beyond the solar system.

This collection is the world's first sample of contemporary interstellar dust.

NASA dispatched a Stardust robotic spacecraft in 1999 to collect samples from a Comet Wild 2 (pronounced "Vilt 2") and then parachute the samples back to Earth in 2006.

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Since then, thousands of volunteer researchers have come together in an effort to better observe these seven specks of stardust scientists believe came from exploded stars or other cosmic phenomenon from beyond the solar system.

The importance of observing stardust was emphasized by Natalie Starkey in an article for the website, Space.

"By studying this dust we can effectively travel back in time to the start of the solar system to understand the composition of everything we know, including early- formed organic matter and water," she said.

The collected samples have qualities that are very diverse from one another, said physicist and lead author of the study, Andrew Westphal.

Two grains are bigger than the rest, relatively speaking, with a size of about 4 microns. This translates into 0.0004 centimeters across.

These grains appear like fluffy snowflakes. They are also reported to contain a magnesium-iron-silicate mineral called olivine.

This fact is a hint that leads researchers to believe these specks of stardust are from beyond the solar system.

Westphal states though that additional testing is needed before concluding the seven specks in question are indeed from beyond the solar system.

Michael Zolensky, overseer of NASA's collection of extraterrestrial samples, adds the most prudent thing for the moment is to put them away until such a time when better equipment and techniques are available that will not destroy the specks.

Thousands of researchers and scientists are currently searching for more interstellar dust particles.

TagsNASA, Comet Wild 2