Dust Measurements in Space

Abstract:

Since the early ages of telescopic observations dust was considered a nuisance, obscuring star light and making the analysis and interpretation of optical spectral measurements more difficult. Dust impacts have been also recognized as a hazard to spacecraft and crew since the very beginning of the space age. Depending on their speed and size, dust particles could damage optical surfaces, puncture fuel lines or the suit of an astronaut.

Ground based laboratory measurements of samples collected on Earth or returned by space missions showed that cosmic dust can provide a link between the universe, the stars, the interstellar medium, our planetary system, the Earth, and our living world. A single grain is a world in its own right, consisting of millions of atoms, reflecting the conditions under which it was born and modified during its lifetime. By determining the origin, and analyzing the chemical and isotopic compositions of a single grain, we learn about the properties of its birthplace, and the processes responsible for its current state.

In situ dust detectors in orbit about the Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, our Moon, flying to comets, or traversing our solar system, collected invaluable data that constrain our models about the origins and evolution of our solar system. This talk will review the dust instruments developed to date, from simple setups registering impacts only, to the most sophisticated dust telescope concept to measure the charge, velocity vector, mass, chemical and isotopic composition of the particles. Also, matching the choice of instruments to the science goals, and available resources of future missions will be discussed.

This talk will review the dust instruments developed to date, from simple setups registering impacts only, to the most sophisticated dust telescope concept to measure the charge, velocity vector, mass, chemical and isotopic composition of the particles. Also, matching the choice of instruments to the science goals, and available resources of future missions will be discussed.

<< Previous Abstract | Next Abstract >>