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Deflection of the local interstellar dust flow by solar radiation pressureInterstellar dust grains intercepted by the dust detectors on the Ulysses and Galileo spacecrafts at heliocentric distances from 2 to 4 astronomical units show a deficit of grains with masses from 1 x 10(-17) to 3 x 10(-16) kilograms relative to grains intercepted outside 4 astronomical units. To divert grains out of the 2- to 4-astronomical unit region, the solar radiation pressure must be 1.4 to 1.8 times the force of solar gravity. These figures are consistent with the optical properties of spherical or elongated grains that consist of astronomical silicates or organic refractory material. Pure graphite grains with diameters of 0.2 to 0.4 micrometer experience a solar radiation pressure force as much as twice the force of solar gravity.
Document ID
20040138889
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Landgraf, M.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston TX United States)
Augustsson, K.
Grun, E.
Gustafson, B. A.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
December 17, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 286
Issue: 5448
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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