Study of Micrometeorites and Cosmic Dust

Abstract

In addition to the planets and their satellites, asteroids, and comets, the Solar System also contains countless small solid particles that move with high speeds (ranging from 11 to 72 km/s) relative to the Earth. They make up the so-called meteoritic matter. Of these particles, meteorites can enter the atmosphere and crash into the ground, often resulting in many fragments. The smaller and more friable particles known as meteors or shooting stars are destroyed by frictional heat during the descent though the air, and the still smaller particles termed micrometeorites or micrometeoroids produce no luminous effects at all.