Abstract
Whitepaper #122 submitted to the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032. Topics: other science themes: interplanetary and interstellar dust; primitive bodies; solar system formation, dynamics processes, and chronology
Highlights
Among solar system objects visible to the unaided eye, the only one not yet targeted by a dedicated space exploration mission is our zodiacal cloud, comprised of interplanetary and interstellar dust
Fundamental science questions about the origins of our solar system and our connection with the universe can be addressed by visiting the zodiacal cloud to measure fresh samples from both ancient solar system objects and our galactic neighborhood
In our ongoing quest to learn about our cosmic roots, interstellar and interplanetary dust offer vital clues to the origin and evolution of the solar system
Summary
Among solar system objects visible to the unaided eye, the only one not yet targeted by a dedicated space exploration mission is our zodiacal cloud, comprised of interplanetary and interstellar dust. Interstellar dust from our galactic neighborhood is the closest available relative of the raw material of the solar system, while interplanetary dust shed by comets carries information on processes that occurred during solar system formation.
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