Decadal and Annual Variations in Meteoric Flux From Ulysses, Wind, and SOFIE Observations. Issue 10 (18th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hervig, Mark E.; Malaspina, David; Sterken, Veerle; Wilson, Lynn B.; Hunziker, Silvan; Bailey, Scott M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 127:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-10-18
• Subjects: meteoric influx -- SOFIE -- Wind -- Ulysses -- interstellar dust -- meteoric smoke; Magnetospheric physics -- Periodicals; Space environment -- Periodicals; Cosmic physics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Atmospheres -- Periodicals; Heliosphere (Astrophysics) -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 523.01
• DOI: 10.1029/2022JA030749
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9380

Abstract

Abstract: Our solar system is filled with meteoric particles, or cosmic dust, which is either interplanetary or interstellar in origin. Interstellar dust (ISD) enters the heliosphere due to the relative motion of the sun and the interstellar flow. Interplanetary dust (IPD) comes primarily from asteroid collisions or comet sublimation, and comprises the bulk of material entering Earth's atmosphere. This study examines variations in ISD and the IPD flux at Earth using observations from three different satellite techniques. First are size‐resolved in situ meteoroid detections by the Ulysses spacecraft, and second are in situ indirect dust observations by Wind. Third are measurements of meteoric smoke in the mesosphere by the Solar Occultation For Ice Experiment (SOFIE). Wind and Ulysses observations are sorted into the interstellar and interplanetary components. Wind ISD show the anticipated correlation to the 22‐year solar magnetic cycle, and are consistent with model predictions of ISD. Because Wind does not discriminate particle size, the IPD measurements were interpreted using meteoric mass distributions from Ulysses observations and from different models. Wind observations during 2007–2020 indicate a total meteoric influx at Earth of 22 metric tons per day (t d −1 ), in reasonable agreement with long‐term averages from SOFIE (25 t d −1 ) and Ulysses (32 t d −1 ). The SOFIE and Wind influx time series both show an unexpected correlation to the 22‐year solar cycle. This relationship could be an artifact, or may indicate that IPD responds to changes in the solar magnetic field. Key Points: Solar Occultation For Ice Experiment, Wind, and Ulysses give consistent estimates of the meteoric influx at Earth Annual and decadal variations in Wind interstellar dust observations agree with model simulations Both interstellar and interplanetary dust are correlated to the 22‐year solar magnetic cycle