Comets as a possible source of nanodust in the Solar System cloud and in planetary debris discs

Mann, Ingrid

doi:10.1098/rsta.2016.0254

Cited by 22 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 58 publications

(100 reference statements)

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“…Alternatively, one could speculate that the impacts from the sunward direction that RPC/IES observes are from minor solar wind constituents, as, for example, negative oxygen ions have energies of around 10 keV (cf. Mann 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of nanodust particles emitted from elongated initial orbits

Czechowski

Mann

2018

A&A

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Context. Because of high charge-to-mass ratio, the nanodust dynamics near the Sun is determined by interplay between the gravity and the electromagnetic forces. Depending on the point where it was created, a nanodust particle can either be trapped in a non-Keplerian orbit, or escape away from the Sun, reaching large velocity. The main source of nanodust is collisional fragmentation of larger dust grains, moving in approximately circular orbits inside the circumsolar dust cloud. Nanodust can also be released from cometary bodies, with highly elongated orbits. Aims. We use numerical simulations and theoretical models to study the dynamics of nanodust particles released from the parent bodies moving in elongated orbits around the Sun. We attempt to find out whether these particles can contribute to the trapped nanodust population. Methods. We use two methods: the motion of nanodust is described either by numerical solutions of full equations of motion, or by a two-dimensional (heliocentric distance vs. radial velocity) model based on the guiding-center approximation. Three models of the solar wind are employed, with different velocity profiles. Poynting-Robertson and the ion drag are included. Results. We find that the nanodust emitted from highly eccentric orbits with large aphelium distance, like those of sungrazing comets, is unlikely to be trapped. Some nanodust particles emitted from the inbound branch of such orbits can approach the Sun to within much shorter distances than the perihelium of the parent body. Unless destroyed by sublimation or other processes, these particles ultimately escape away from the Sun. Nanodust from highly eccentric orbits can be trapped if the orbits are contained within the boundary of the trapping region (for orbits close to ecliptic plane, within ∼0.16 AU from the Sun). Particles that avoid trapping escape to large distances, gaining velocities comparable to that of the solar wind.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of nanodust particles emitted from elongated initial orbits

Czechowski

Mann

2018

A&A

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“…However, observations of rotating coma grains suggest this may not be the case [69]. Further discussion of the dust characteristics can be found in [70,71]. …”

Section: Pre-landing and First Timesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Rosetta mission orbiter science overview: the comet phase

Taylor

Altobelli

Buratti

et al. 2017

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

102

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The international Rosetta mission was launched in 2004 and consists of the orbiter spacecraft Rosetta and the lander Philae. The aim of the mission is to map the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko by remote sensing, and to examine its environment in situ and its evolution in the inner Solar System. Rosetta was the first spacecraft to rendezvous with and orbit a comet, accompanying it as it passes through the inner Solar System, and to deploy a lander, Philae, and perform in situ science on the comet's surface. The primary goals of the mission were to: characterize the comet's nucleus; examine the chemical, mineralogical and isotopic composition of volatiles and refractories; examine the physical properties and interrelation of volatiles and refractories in a cometary nucleus; study the development of cometary activity and the processes in the surface layer of the nucleus and in the coma; detail the origin of comets, the relationship between cometary and interstellar material and the implications for the origin of the Solar System; and characterize asteroids 2867 Steins and 21 Lutetia. This paper presents a summary of mission operations and science, focusing on the Rosetta orbiter component of the mission during its comet phase, from early 2014 up to September 2016.This article is part of the themed issue ‘Cometary science after Rosetta’.

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“…The relationship of the composition of the cometary grains to grains elsewhere, both in the solar system and the galaxy, was discussed both by Mann [46] and by Wooden [47]. The mineralogy appears to require multiple stages of condensation, presumably in the protoplanetary disc but many details of the picture are not clear and there remain many questions.…”

Section: (B) How Are Comets Put Together?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Comets: looking ahead

A’Hearn

2017

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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We outline the key questions about comets that must be answered in order to understand cometary formation in the context of the protoplanetary disc and the role of comets in the formation and evolution of the solar system. We then discuss the new understanding of comets from Rosetta and from other recent advances, including work presented by others at the discussion meeting. Finally, we suggest some key directions for future projects to better address the above questions.This article is part of the themed issue 'Cometary science after Rosetta'.

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Comets as a possible source of nanodust in the Solar System cloud and in planetary debris discs

Cited by 22 publications

References 58 publications

Dynamics of nanodust particles emitted from elongated initial orbits

Dynamics of nanodust particles emitted from elongated initial orbits

The Rosetta mission orbiter science overview: the comet phase

Comets: looking ahead

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