The interdisciplinary study of dust brings together different scientific fields: physics ( solid-state, electromagnetic theory, surface physics, statistical physics, thermal physics), fractal mathematics, surface chemistry on dust grains, meteoritics, as well as every branch of astronomy and astrophysics. Interstellar dust particles were collected by the Stardust spacecraft and samples were returned to Earth in 2006. A smaller fraction of dust in space is "stardust" consisting of larger refractory minerals that condensed as matter left by stars. Ĭosmic dust contains some complex organic compounds (amorphous organic solids with a mixed aromatic– aliphatic structure) that could be created naturally, and rapidly, by stars.
The density of the dust cloud through which the Earth is traveling is approximately 10 −6 dust grains/m 3. Thousands of tons of cosmic dust are estimated to reach the Earth's surface every year, with most grains having a mass between 10 −16 kg (0.1 pg) and 10 −4 kg (100 mg). Solar System dust includes comet dust, asteroidal dust, dust from the Kuiper belt, and interstellar dust passing through the Solar System. In the Solar System, interplanetary dust causes the zodiacal light. Cosmic dust can be further distinguished by its astronomical location: intergalactic dust, interstellar dust, interplanetary dust (such as in the zodiacal cloud) and circumplanetary dust (such as in a planetary ring). Most cosmic dust particles measure between a few molecules and 0.1 mm (100 micrometers). Porous chondrite interplanetary dust particle.Ĭosmic dust, also called extraterrestrial dust or space dust, is dust which exists in outer space, or has fallen on Earth.
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