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Possible evidence for penetration of interstellar dust into the Solar System

Nature volume 262, pages 263–266 (1976)Cite this article

Abstract

Because of the motion of the Sun through the surrounding interstellar medium, interstellar dust particles may penetrate deep into the Solar System. In this paper, we investigate the conditions for this penetration and find that the distribution of such particles should peak along the line of gravitational focusing. Two possible consequences are compared with experimental results: the rate at which particles should strike a micrometeoroid detector and the distribution of scattered solar light. We find that the number density of particles penetrating the solar system, derived from this comparison, is much smaller than predicted by a crude model of interstellar matter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CNRS, Service d'Aéronomie, BP No 3–91370, Verrières Le Buisson, France

    J. L. Bertaux & J. E. Blamont

Authors
  1. J. L. Bertaux
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  2. J. E. Blamont
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Bertaux, J., Blamont, J. Possible evidence for penetration of interstellar dust into the Solar System. Nature 262, 263–266 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/262263a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/262263a0

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