Spatial and time variations of the interplanetary microparticle flux analysed from deep space probes Pioneers 8 and 9
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Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Richardson, F. F..
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Consistent data for more than 8 years have been obtained from two identical cosmic dust particle experiments on board the space probes Pioneer 8 and 9. The two spacecraft are in direct heliocentric orbits with perihelia between 0.75 AU and 1.00 AU. On the basis of the data it is concluded that the majority of dust particles having elliptical orbits detected by the two space probes show orbital characteristics of Apollo group asteroids which originated from residual nuclei of short-period comets.
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A three-axis cosmic dust experiment placed on the lunar surface by the Apollo 17 crew is registering impact parameters of cosmic dust and lunar ejecta. A total of 1117 events have been recorded in eight months of data. Preliminary conclusions on the nature of the data include possible evidence of lunar soil transport associated with the terminators. Particle fluxes have been derived for two of the three sensor systems and for specified conditions of exposure.
The test equipment installed during the Apollo 17 flight to conduct the lunar ejecta and meteorites (LEAM) investigation is described. The LEAM experiment intercepts ejecta particles created by meteoroid impact on the lunar surface and records information useful in establishing the history of the moon. The deployment of the system in the Taurus-Littrow area and the method for controlling the equipment are explained. The effects of lunar surface temperatures on the operation of the sensors are reported.
Cosmic dust particle direction, velocity and mass from ionization and momentum measurements by dust sensor during impact on Pioneer 8 satellite
Cosmic dust sensor experiment on Pioneer 8 space probe