This monograph reports on the recent developments in the area of interplanetary and pre-solar dust grains. Chemical and isotope analyses of dust are discussed, especially with the aim to study the origin and evolution of interplanetary dust. Recent observations of extraterrestrial dust obtained with LDEF, Galileo and Ulysses are presented.
Several velocity mechanisms for dust particles are discussed, in addition to their impact on cosmic or cometary dust grain capture devices.
This volume is specially intended for research scientists and advanced (graduate) students in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics and geo and cosmochemists. Scientists in related fields, like the environmental sciences (especially researchers of artificial debris from rockets and boosters), are also likely to be interested in this work.

Inhalt

Preface. I. Recognition of Interplanetary Dust Clouds by Astronomical Observations. II. Motion and Distribution of Interplanetary Dust. III. Meteor and Noctilucent Clouds. IV. Sampling and Analyses of Stratospheric Dust. V. Extraterrestrial Matter Accretion into Deep Sea Sediments. VI. Studies on Spherules Collected from Ice Layers and Deep Sea Sediments. VII. Simulation Test Experiments. VIII. Direct Measurements of Interplanetary Dust in Space. IX. Microcrater Formation by Dust Impacts. X. Recovered Particles from Crater Regions of Meteorite Falls. XI. Grain Formation and Pre-Cursor Grains. XII. Discussions and Interim Conclusion.