Dust: Encyclopedia II - Dust - Dust in outer space

Dust - Dust in outer space

Dust is also widely present in outer space, where gas and dust clouds are primary precursors for planetary systems. The zodiacal light, seen in the sky at night, is produced by sunlight reflecting off particles of dust in orbit around the Sun. The tails of comets are produced by emissions of dust and ionized gas from the body of the comet. Dust also covers planetary bodies, and great dust storms are produced on Mars that can cover nearly the entire planet. Interstellar dust is found between the stars, producing diffuse nebula and reflection nebula.

It is thought that dust samples returned from outer space could tell scientists much about the early conditions in the solar system. Several spacecraft have been launched in an attempt to gather samples of dust and other materials. Among these was Stardust which flew past the comet Wild 2 in 2004. The Japanese Hayabusa spacecraft is attempting a sample return of dust collected from the surface of an asteroid.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Dust in outer space", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki