Sign on

SAO/NASA ADS Astronomy Abstract Service

· Find Similar Abstracts (with default settings below)
· Electronic Refereed Journal Article (HTML)
· References in the article
· Citations to the Article (1) (Citation History)
· Refereed Citations to the Article
· Also-Read Articles (Reads History)
·
· Translate This Page
Title:
DuneXpress
Authors:
Grün, Eberhard; Srama, Ralf; Altobelli, Nicolas; Altwegg, Kathrin; Carpenter, James; Colangeli, Luigi; Glassmeier, Karl-Heinz; Helfert, Stefan; Henkel, Hartmut; Horanyi, Mihaly; Jäckel, Annette; Kempf, Sascha; Landgraf, Markus; McBride, Neil; Moragas-Klostermeyer, Georg; Palumbo, Pasquale; Scholten, Han; Srowig, Andre; Sternovsky, Zoltan; Vo, Xavier
Affiliation:
AA(Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik; LASP, University of Colorado), AB(Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik; Institut für Raumfahrtsysteme, Universität Stuttgart), AC(European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC)), AD(University of Berne), AE(Department Physics and Astronomy, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester), AF(INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte), AG(University of Braunschweig), AH(Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik), AI(von Hoerner & Sulger), AJ(LASP, University of Colorado), AK(University of Berne), AL(Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik; , University of Braunschweig), AM(European Space Operations Centre (ESOC)), AN(The Open University), AO(Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik), AP(Universita Parthenope), AQ(Dutch Space), AR(Physikalisches Institut, University of Heidelberg), AS(LASP, University of Colorado), AT(Dutch Space)
Publication:
Experimental Astronomy, Volume 23, Issue 3, pp.981-999 (ExA Homepage)
Publication Date:
03/2009
Origin:
SPRINGER
Keywords:
Interstellar dust, Interplanetary dust, Cometary dust, Asteroidal dust, Dust astronomy, Chemical composition, Isotopic composition, Size distribution, Interstellar dust flow
DOI:
10.1007/s10686-008-9099-4
Bibliographic Code:
2009ExA....23..981G

Abstract

The DuneXpress observatory will characterize interstellar and interplanetary dust in-situ, in order to provide crucial information not achievable with remote sensing astronomical methods. Galactic interstellar dust constitutes the solid phase of matter from which stars and planetary systems form. Interplanetary dust, from comets and asteroids, represents remnant material from bodies at different stages of early solar system evolution. Thus, studies of interstellar and interplanetary dust with DuneXpress in Earth orbit will provide a comparison between the composition of the interstellar medium and primitive planetary objects. Hence DuneXpress will provide insights into the physical conditions during planetary system formation. This comparison of interstellar and interplanetary dust addresses directly themes of highest priority in astrophysics and solar system science, which are described in ESA’s Cosmic Vision. The discoveries of interstellar dust in the outer and inner solar system during the last decade suggest an innovative approach to the characterization of cosmic dust. DuneXpress establishes the next logical step beyond NASA’s Stardust mission, with four major advancements in cosmic dust research: (1) analysis of the elemental and isotopic composition of individual interstellar grains passing through the solar system, (2) determination of the size distribution of interstellar dust at 1 AU from 10 ‑ 14 to 10 ‑ 9 g, (3) characterization of the interstellar dust flow through the planetary system, (4) establish the interrelation of interplanetary dust with comets and asteroids. Additionally, in supporting the dust science objectives, DuneXpress will characterize dust charging in the solar wind and in the Earth’s magnetotail. The science payload consists of two dust telescopes of a total of 0.1 m2 sensitive area, three dust cameras totaling 0.4 m2 sensitive area, and a nano-dust detector. The dust telescopes measure high-resolution mass spectra of both positive and negative ions released upon impact of dust particles. The dust cameras employ different detection methods and are optimized for (1) large area impact detection and trajectory analysis of submicron sized and larger dust grains, (2) the determination of physical properties, such as flux, mass, speed, and electrical charge. A nano-dust detector searches for nanometer-sized dust particles in interplanetary space. A plasma monitor supports the dust charge measurements, thereby, providing additional information on the dust particles. About 1,000 grains are expected to be recorded by this payload every year, with 20% of these grains providing elemental composition. During the mission submicron to micron-sized interstellar grains are expected to be recorded in statistically significant numbers. DuneXpress will open a new window to dusty universe that will provide unprecedented information on cosmic dust and on the objects from which it is derived.
Bibtex entry for this abstract   Preferred format for this abstract (see Preferences)
   

Find Similar Abstracts:

Use: Authors
Title
Keywords (in text query field)
Abstract Text
Return: Query Results Return    items starting with number
Query Form
Database: Astronomy
Physics
arXiv e-prints