Lorentz scattering of interplanetary dust

Charged dust grains in a turbulent magnetic field will see a Lorentz force due to the convection of the solar magnetic field past them at the solar wind velocity. Since the sign of this magnetic field is randomly varying, the direction of the force will be random, and the net effect will be to randomly scatter the orbital elements of these particles. The square roots of the mean square change in semimajor axis, inclination, and eccentricity are determined as a function of the particles' original orbital elements. Particles 3 μm in radius and smaller will have their motions strongly perturbed or dominated by Lorentz scattering. This scattering will have an effect comparable to, or greater than, the Poynting-Robertson effect on these particles for time scales comparable to their Poynting-Robertson lifetimes.     

Reflectance spectroscopy of interplanetary dust particles

Abstract Reflectance spectra were collected from chondritic interplanetary dust particles (IDPs), a polar micrometeorite, Allende (CV3) meteorite matrix, and mineral standards using a microscope spectrophotometer. Data were acquired over the 380–1100 nm wavelength range in darkfield mode using a halogen light source, particle aperturing diaphrams, and photomultiplier tube (PMT) detectors. Spectra collected from titanium oxide (Ti₄O₇), magnetite (Fe₃O₄), and Allende matrix establish that it is possible to measure indigenous reflectivities of micrometer-sized (>5 μm in diameter) particles over the visible (VIS) wavelength range 450–800 nm. Below 450 nm, small particle effects cause a fall-off in signal into the ultraviolet (UV). Near-infrared (IR) spectra collected from olivine and pyroxene standards suggest that the ～1 μm absorption features of Fe-bearing silicates in IDPs can be detected using microscope spectrophotometry. Chondritic IDPs are dark objects (<15% reflectivity) over the VIS 450–800 nm range. Large (>1 μm in diameter) embedded and adhering single mineral grains make IDPs significantly brighter, while surficial magnetite formed by frictional heating during atmospheric entry makes them darker. Most chondritic smooth (CS) IDPs, dominated by hydrated layer silicates, exhibit generally flat spectra with slight fall-off towards 800 nm, which is similar to type CI and CM meteorites and main-belt C-type asteroids. Most chondritic porous (CP) IDPs, dominated by anhydrous silicates (pyroxene and olivine), exhibit generally flat spectra with a slight rise towards 800 nm, which is similar to outer P and D asteroids. The most C-rich CP IDPs rise steeply towards 800 nm with a redness comparable to that of the outer asteroid object Pholus (Binzel, 1992). Chondritic porous IDPs are the first identified class of meteoritic materials exhibiting spectral reflectivities (between 450 and 800 nm) similar to those of P and D asteroids. Although large mineral grains, secondary magnetite, and small particle effects complicate interpretation of IDP reflectance spectra, microscope spectrophotometry appears to offer a rapid, nondestructive technique for probing the mineralogy of IDPs, comparing them with meteorites, investigating their parent body origins, and identifying IDPs that may have been strongly heated during atmospheric entry.     

Sampling interplanetary dust from Antarctic air

We built a collector to filter interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) larger than 5 μm from the clean air at the Amundsen Scott South Pole station. Our sampling strategy used long duration, continuous dry filtering of near‐surface air in place of short duration, high‐speed impact collection on flags flown in the stratosphere. We filtered ~10⁷ m³ of clean Antarctic air through 20 cm diameter, 3 µm filters coupled to a suction blower of modest power consumption (5–6 kW). Our collector ran continuously for 2 years and yielded 41 filters for analyses. Based on stratospheric concentrations, we predicted that each month’s collection would provide 300–900 IDPs for analysis. We identified 19 extraterrestrial (ET) particles on the 66 cm² of filter examined, which represented ~0.5% of the exposed filter surfaces. The 11 ET particles larger than 5 µm yield about a fifth of the expected flux based on >5 µm stratospheric ET particle flux. Of the 19 ET particles identified, four were chondritic porous IDPs, seven were FeNiS beads, two were FeNi grains, and six were chondritic material with FeNiS components. Most were <10 µm in diameter and none were cluster particles. Additionally, a carbon‐rich candidate particle was found to have a small ¹⁵N isotopic enrichment, supporting an ET origin. Many other candidate grains, including chondritic glasses and C‐rich particles with Mg and Si and FeS grains, require further analysis to determine if they are ET. The vast majority of exposed filter surfaces remain to be examined.     

On the albedo of the interplanetary dust

The zodiacal light brightness and measured spatial density of the interplanetary dust lead to a mean geometric albedo of 0.24 for the dust particles near 1 AU; whereas the composition of collected micrometeroids suggests a geometric albedo ?0.1. The data do not support the very low albedo (?0.01) proposed by A. F. Cook [Icarus33 (1978), 349–360]. The evidence is against a change in the mean particle albedo between 0.1 and 2 AU. Beyond 2 AU the data are unclear and a change in albedo is not ruled out.     

Physical properties of cometary and interplanetary dust

In the absence of numerous in situ studies, physical properties of cosmic dust may be derived from observations of their light scattering and thermal properties, through numerical simulations making use of realistic assumptions. Estimations about cometary and interplanetary dust composition, structure, size, as well as about their light scattering and thermal properties, are first summarized. We then present and discuss the numerical simulations we have performed with different types of particles: core-mantle submicron-sized elongated grains (having contributed to the formation of cometary dust), fractal aggregates of such grains (found in cometary comae and in the interplanetary dust cloud), and fractal aggregates of large dust grains (found in cometary dust trails).A very satisfactory fit to the numerous polarimetric observations of comet Hale-Bopp is obtained for a mixture with about 33–60% of organics in mass, with a power law size distribution with an index of (−3) and a radius of 20 μm for the upper cut-off. For the less-constrained polarimetric observations of interplanetary dust near 1 AU, a fit is obtained for a mixture with about 40% of organics in mass, with a similar size distribution and a radius of about 50 μm for the upper cut-off. The ensemble of results obtained for the interplanetary dust strongly suggest that its light scattering and thermal properties stem from the presence of compact and fluffy particles, with compositions ranging from silicates to more absorbing materials, whose contribution decreases with decreasing distance to the Sun.     

The elemental abundances in interplanetary dust particles

Abstract— We compiled a table of all major, minor, and trace-element abundances in 89 interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) that includes data obtained with proton-induced x-ray emission (PIXE), synchroton x-ray fluorescence (SXRF), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). For the first time, the reliability of the trace-element abundances in IDPs is tested by various crosschecks. We also report on the results of cluster analyses that we performed on IDP compositions. Because of the incompleteness of the data set, we included only the elements Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn, normalized to Fe and CI chondrite abundances, that are determined in 73 IDPs. The data arrange themselves in four rather poorly defined groups that we discuss in relation to CI chondrites following the assumption that on the average CI abundances are most probable. The largest group (chondritic), with 44 members, has close to CI abundances for many refractory and moderately refractory elements (Na, Al, Si, P, K, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ge, Sr). It is slightly depleted in Fe and more in Ca and S, while the volatile elements (Cl, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Rb) are enriched by =1.7 × CI and Br by 21 × CI. The low-Zn group, with 12 members, is very similar to the chondritic group except for its Zn-depletion, stronger Ca-depletion and Fe-enrichment. The low-Ni group, with 11 members, has Ni/Fe = 0.03 × CI and almost CI-like Ca, but its extraterrestrial origin is not established. The last group (6 members) contains non-systematic particles of unknown origin. We found that Fe is inhomogeneously distributed on a micron scale. Furthermore, the abundances of elements that are measured near their limits of detection are easily overestimated. These biases involved, the incomplete data set and possible contaminating processes prevent us from obtaining information on the specific origin(s) of IDPs from elemental abundances.     

Tin in a chondritic interplanetary dust particle

Abstract— Submicron platey Sn-rich grains are present in chondritic porous interplanetary dust particle (IDP) W7029^*A and it is the second occurrence of a tin mineral in a stratospheric micrometeorite. Selected Area Electron Diffraction data for the Snrich grains match with Sn₂O₃ and Sn₃O₄. The oxide(s) may have formed in the solar nebula when tin metal catalytically supported reduction of CO or during flash heating on atmospheric entry of the IDP. The presence of tin is consistent with enrichments for other volatile trace elements in chondritic IDPs and may signal an emerging trend towards non-chondritic volatile element abundances in chondritic IDPs. The observation confirms small-scale mineralogical heterogeneity in fine-grained chondritic porous interplanetary dust.     

Factors affecting the motion of interplanetary dust particles

In this paper the dynamics of individual dust particles and the effects on their motion caused by insolation and consequent evaporation is considered. Evaporation rates and the radii of dust-free zones have been computed using thermodynamic data from various sources. Some doubt is thrown on the validity of the process of matching observed thermal emission peaks with theoretical evaporation zone radii.     

Infrared spectroscopy of interplanetary dust in the laboratory

Diagnostic infrared spectra of individual nanogram-sized interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) collected in the Earth's stratosphere have been obtained. A mount containing three crushed “chondritic” IDPs shows features near 1000 and 500 cm^?1, suggestive of crystalline pyroxene, and different from those of crystalline olivine, amorphous olivine, or meteoritic clay minerals. The structural diversity of chondritic IDPs and possible effects of atmospheric heating must be considered when comparing this spectrum with astrophysical spectra of interplanetary and cometary dust. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and infrared observations are also reported on one member of the rare subset of IDPs which resemble hydrated carbonaceous chondrite matrix material. The infrared spectrum of this particle between 4000 and 400 cm^?1 closely matches that of the C2 meteorite Murchison. TEM observations suggest that this class of particles might serve as a thermometer for the process of heating on atmospheric entry.     

Salts in two chondritic porous interplanetary dust particles

Abstract— Grain-by-grain analytical electron microscope analyses of two micrometeorites, or interplanetary dust particles (IDPs), of the chondritic porous subtype, show the presence of rare barite (BaSO₄) and magnesium carbonate, probably magnesite. Salt minerals in chondritic porous (CP) IDPs give evidence for in situ aqueous alteration in their parent bodies. The uniquely high barium content of CP IDP W7029^*C1 is consistent with barite precipitation from a mildly acidic (pH > ～5) aqueous fluid at temperatures below 417 K and low oxygen fugacity. The presence of magnesite in olivine-rich, anhydrous CP IDP W7010^*A2 is evidence that carbonate minerals occur in both the chondritic porous and chondritic smooth subtypes of chondritic IDPs. Citing Schramm et al. (1989) for putative asteroidal-type aqueous alteration in IDPs and probable sources of chondritic IDPs, salt minerals in CP IDPs could support low-temperature aqueous activity in nuclei of active short-period comets.     

Effects of interplanetary dust on the LISA drag-free constellation

The analysis of non-radiative sources of static or time-dependent gravitational fields in the Solar System is crucial to accurately estimate the free-fall orbits of the LISA space mission. In particular, we take into account the gravitational effects of Interplanetary Dust (ID) on the spacecraft trajectories. The perturbing gravitational field has been calculated for some ID density distributions that fit the observed zodiacal light. Then we integrated the Gauss planetary equations to get the deviations from the LISA Keplerian orbits around the Sun. This analysis can be eventually extended to Local Dark Matter (LDM), as gravitational fields are expected to be similar for ID and LDM distributions. Under some strong assumptions on the displacement noise at very low frequency, the Doppler data collected during the whole LISA mission could provide upper limits on ID and LDM densities.     

On the origin of interplanetary dust within recorded history

Abstract— The possibility of an abrupt origin of interplanetary dust as a result of a collision between asteroids or an extraordinary comet is considered. If all interplanetary dust were produced in one event within recorded history, it would have been visible from the Earth with the unaided eye. The rate, surface area, and brightness of asteroid collision remnants are derived. Ancient Chinese records are searched for extraordinary comets and bright pointlike objects with small angular motion and concentration to the ecliptic.     

The integral equation approach to the study of interplanetary dust

Some considerations about the zodiacal light brightness integral from the stand point of the theory of integral equations are made. It is shown that for observation directions confined to a plane perpendicular to the ecliptic and passing through the Sun, the Z.L. brightness integral can be formally considered as a first kind integral equation of Volterra type (V.I.E.). In a second step, this equation is transformed into a V.I.E. of the second kind, from which, and under certain assumptions, the spatial distribution of dust out of the ecliptic is obtained.     

Extraction of helium from individual interplanetary dust particles by step-heating

Abstract Fragments from 20 individual particles, collected in the Earth's stratosphere and believed to be interplanetary dust particles (IDPs), were obtained from NASA's Johnson Space Center collection and subjected to step-heating to see if differences in the release pattern for ⁴He could be observed which might provide clues to the origin of the particles. Comparisons were made to the release pattern for 18 individual lunar surface grains heated in the same manner. Twelve of the IDP fragments contained an appreciable amount of ⁴He, 50 percent of which was released by the time the particles were heated to approximately 630 °C. For the 18 individual lunar grains the corresponding average temperature was 660 °C. The ³He/⁴He ratios found for these fragments agreed well with those found for deep Pacific magnetic fines believed to be of extraterrestrial origin, and were comparable to those which have been observed for the solar wind and lunar surface soil grains. Four of the IDP fragments contained appreciably less ⁴He, and this was released at a higher temperature. The remaining four fragments had too little ⁴He to permit a determination. From Flynn's analyses of the problem of the heating of IDPs in their descent in the atmosphere, the present results suggest that the parent IDPs of the 12 particles which contained an appreciable amount of ⁴He suffered very little heating in their descent and are likely of asteroidal origin, although one cannot rule out the possibility that at least some of them had a cometary origin and entered the earth's atmosphere at a grazing angle. Mineralogical and morphological studies on fragments companion to those used in the present investigation are under way. When these are completed, a more definite picture should emerge.     

Noble gas space exposure ages of individual interplanetary dust particles

Abstract— The He, Ne, and Ar compositions of 32 individual interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) were measured using low‐blank laser probe gas extraction. These measurements reveal definitive evidence of space exposure. The Ne and Ar isotopic compositions in the IDPs are primarily a mixture between solar wind (SW) and an isotopically heavier component dubbed “fractionated solar” (FS), which could be implantation‐fractionated solar wind or a distinct component of the solar corpuscular radiation previously identified as solar energetic particles (SEP). Space exposure ages based on the Ar content of individual IDPs are estimated for a subset of the grains that appear to have escaped significant volatile losses during atmosphere entry. Although model‐dependent, most of the particles in this subset have ages that are roughly consistent with origin in the asteroid belt. A short (<1000 years) space exposure age is inferred for one particle, which is suggestive of cometary origin. Among the subset of grains that show some evidence for relatively high atmospheric entry heating, two possess elevated ²¹Ne/²²Ne ratios generated by extended exposure to solar and galactic cosmic rays. The inferred cosmic ray exposure ages of these particles exceeds 10⁷ years, which tends to rule out origin in the asteroid belt. A favorable possibility is that these ²¹Ne‐rich IDPs previously resided on a relatively stable regolith of an Edgeworth‐Kuiper belt or Oort cloud body and were introduced into the inner solar system by cometary activity. These results demonstrate the utility of noble gas measurements in constraining models for the origins of interplanetary dust particles.     

Magnetic field modulated dust streams from Jupiter in interplanetary space

High speed dust streams emanating from near Jupiter were first discovered by the Ulysses spacecraft in 1992. Since then the phenomenon has been re-observed by Galileo in 1995, Cassini in 2000, and Ulysses in 2004. The dust grains are expected to be charged to a potential of , which is sufficient to allow the planet's magnetic field to accelerate them away from the planet, where they are subsequently influenced by the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). A similar phenomenon was observed near Saturn by Cassini. Here, we report and analyze simultaneous dust, IMF and solar wind data for all dust streams from the two Ulysses Jupiter flybys. We find that compression regions (CRs) in the IMF – regions of enhanced magnetic field – precede most dust streams. Furthermore, the duration of a dust stream is roughly comparable with that of the precedent CR, and the occurrence of a dust stream and the occurrence of the previous CR are separated by a time interval that depends on the distance to Jupiter. The intensity of the dust streams and their precedent CRs are also correlated, but this correlation is only evident at distances from the planet no greater than 2 AU. Combining these observations, we argue that CRs strongly affect dust streams, probably by deflecting dust grain trajectories, so that they can reach the spacecraft and be detected by its dust sensor.     

Diverse forms of primordial organic matter identified in interplanetary dust particles

Abstract– Coordinated in situ transmission electron microscopy and isotopic measurements of carbonaceous phases in interplanetary dust particles were performed to determine their origins. Five different types of carbonaceous materials were identified based on their morphology and texture, observed by transmission electron microscopy: globular, vesicular, dirty, spongy, and smooth. Flash heating experiments were performed to explore whether some of these morphologies are the result of atmospheric entry processes. Each of these morphologies was found to have isotopically anomalous H and N. Rare C isotopic anomalies were also observed. The isotopic and morphological properties of several of these phases, particularly the organic globules, are remarkably similar to those observed in other extraterrestrial materials including carbonaceous chondrites, comet 81P/Wild 2 particles collected by the Stardust spacecraft, and Antarctic micrometeorites, indicating that they were widespread in the early solar system. The ubiquitous nature and the isotopic anomalies of the nanoglobules and some other morphologies strongly suggest that these are very primitive phases. Given that some of the isotopic anomalies (D and ¹⁵N excesses) are indicative of mass fractionation chemical reactions in a very cold environment, and some others (¹³C and ¹⁵N depletions) have other origins, these carbonaceous phases come from different reservoirs. Whatever their origins, these materials probably reflect the first stages of the evolution of solar system organic matter, having originated in the outermost regions of the protosolar disk and/or interstellar cold molecular clouds.     

The porosity and permeability of chondritic meteorites and interplanetary dust particles

Abstract— We have investigated the porosity of a large number of chondritic interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and meteorites by three techniques: standard liquid/gas flow techniques, a new, noninvasive ultrasonic technique, and image processing of backscattered images. The latter technique is obviously best-suited to sub-kilogram sized samples. We have also measured the gas and liquid permeabilities of some chondrites by two techniques: standard liquid/gas flow techniques, and a new, nondestructive pressure release technique. We find that chondritic IDPs have a somewhat bimodal porosity distribution. Peaks are present at 0 and 4% porosity; a tail then extends to 53%. Type 1–3 chondrite matrix porosities range up to 30%, with a peak at 2%. The bulk porosities for type 1–3 chondrites have the same approximate range as exhibited by the matrix, which indicates that other components of the bulk meteorites (including chondrules and aggregates) have the same average porosity as the matrix. These results reveal that the porosities of primitive materials at scales ranging from nanogram to kilogram are similar, which implies that similar accretion dynamics operated through 12 orders of size magnitude. Permeabilities of the investigated chondrites vary by several orders of magnitude, and there appears to be no simple dependence of permeability with degree of aqueous alteration, chondrite type or porosity.     

Compositional variations of olivines and pyroxenes in chondritic interplanetary dust particles

Abstract We report here analyses of olivines and pyroxenes, and petrofabrics of 27 chondritic interplanetary dust particles (IDPs), comparing those from anhydrous and hydrous types. Approximately 40% of the hydrous particles contain diopside, a probable indicator of parent body thermal metamorphism, while this mineral is rarely present in the anhydrous particles. Based on this evidence, we find that hydrous and anhydrous IDPs are, in general, not directly related, and we conclude that olivine and pyroxene major-element compositions can be used to help discriminate between IDPs that are (1) predominantly nebular condensates, and lately resided in anhydrous or icy (no liquids) primitive parent bodies, and (2) those originating from more geochemically active parent bodies (probably hydrous and anhydrous asteroids).     

On the size distribution and physical properties of interplanetary dust grains

This paper synthesizes information on the size distribution and physical properties of interplanetary dust grains obtained from analyses of lunar microcraters performed until 1979. The different aspects of these analyses (counting methods, simulation, calibrations) are summarized and a large amount of data is collected and discussed in order to clarify past contradictions. The number of small microcraters (D_c < 5 μm) is found to be higher than previously derived and the ratio P/D_c (depth to crater diameter) to depend upon their sizes. All results converge to a two-component dust population: Population 1 consists principally of large grains (d > 2 μm) with density typical of silicates while Population 2 consists of small grains (d < 2 μm) with higher density typical of iron, with a minor component of silicates. The conclusion appears to be further supported by spatial measurements and collection experiments. Fluffy grains of very low density (0.3 g/cm³) are probably not present to a large extent.