München 1997 – scientific programme

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EP: Extraterrestrische Physik

EP 10: Kleine Körper 2

EP 10.3: Talk

Wednesday, March 19, 1997, 15:30–15:45, 332

Electric Charge of Dust in Interplanetary Space and its Influence on the Dust Dynamics — •H. Kimura and I. Mann — Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, Postfach, D37189 Katlenburg-Lindau

The interaction of dust particles in interplanetary space yields different effects, such as radiation pressure, Poynting-Robertson drag, and the electric charging of the particles. Besides solar gravity, which plays a major role, the orbital evolution of charged dust particles is affected by the Lorentz force due to the solar magnetic field, as well as by the radiation pressure and the Poynting-Robertson effect. While the radiation pressure and the Poynting-Robertson effect do not change their inclination, the Lorentz force dissipates the dust cloud in the ecliptic plane toward high ecliptic latitude. In order to investigate the role of the Lorentz force, we will estimate the surface potential of dust particles in interplanetary space. We discuss the influence of material composition and solar wind parameters on the charging of grains. Finally we compare the Lorentz force on the particles with the solar gravitational force and the solar radiation pressure force on them.