Transport of dust across the Solar System

Author(s)

Jenny Feige, A. Airo, D. Berger, D. Brückner, A. Gärtner, M. Genge, I. Leya, F. Habibi Marekani, L. Hecht, N. Klingner, Johannes Lachner, X. Li, Silke Merchel, J. Nissen, A. B. C. Patzer, S. Peterson, A. Schropp, C. Sager, M. D. Suttle, R. Trappitsch, J. Weinhold

Abstract

The origin of micrometeorites (MMs) from asteroids and comets is well-established, but the relative contribution from these two classes remains poorly resolved. Likewise, determining the precise origin of individual MMs is an open challenge. Here, cosmic-ray exposure ages are used to resolve the spatial origins of 12 MMs collected from urban areas and Antarctica. Their 26 Al and 10 Be concentration, produced during cosmic-ray irradiation in space, were measured by accelerator mass spectrometry. These data are compared to results from a model simulating the transport and irradiation of the MM precursors in space. This model, for the first time, considers a variety of orbits, precursor particle sizes, compositions and densities and incorporates non-isotropic solar and galactic cosmic-ray flux profiles, depth-dependent production rates, as well as spherical evaporation during atmospheric entry. While the origin for six MMs remains ambiguous, two MMs show a preferential tendency towards an origin in the Inner Solar System (Near Earth Objects to the Asteroid Belt) and four towards an origin in the Outer Solar System (Jupiter Family Comets to the Kuiper Belt). These findings challenge the notion that dust originating from the Outer Solar System is unlikely to survive long-term transport and delivery to the terrestrial planets. This article is part of the theme issue 'Dust in the Solar System and beyond'.

Organisation(s)

Isotope Physics

External organisation(s)

Museum für Naturkunde Berlin - Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Technische Universität Berlin, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden, Imperial College London, Universität Bern, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Technische Universität München, University of Minnesota, Mineapolis, Open University, University of Pisa, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Journal

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences

Volume

382

No. of pages

26

ISSN

1364-503X

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2023.0197

Publication date

05-2014

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

103004 Astrophysics, 104002 Analytical chemistry, 104020 Radiochemistry

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Engineering, General Physics and Astronomy, General Mathematics

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/5395db71-5e08-4c20-8142-8eaa72fe70ac