TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: The phenomenon of zodiacal light, characterized by sunlight scattering due to interplanetary dust, has long intrigued astronomers. A recent study conducted by a scientist at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, delves into the origins of this mysterious dust, using insights gained from NASA’s Juno spacecraft’s encounter with fast-moving particles.
EXPLANATION:
- Juno, launched in 2011 to explore Jupiter, experienced damage to its solar panels due to dust particles encountered around Mars.
- A 2021 paper highlighted this issue, providing valuable data. Dr. Jayesh P. Pabari from PRL seized this opportunity, utilizing the data to calculate the number of dust particles encountered by Juno between 1 and 5 Astronomical Units (AU).
- Astronomical Units (AU): The distance between Earth and the Sun. Mars and Jupiter are situated at 1.52 AU and 5.2 AU, respectively.
Zodiacal Dust and Source Identification
- Zodiacal Light:
- The faint, diffuse glow observed as sunlight scatters through interplanetary dust.
- Visible along the ecliptic, the path of the Sun over a year.
- Flux Calculation:
- Pabari’s analysis revealed a tenfold increase in dust flux at 1.5 AU, a crucial finding in understanding the source of zodiacal dust.
- Possible Origin – Mars’s Moons (Deimos and Phobos):
- Pabari compared dust flux near Mars, ruling out other phenomena and highlighting the potential role of Mars’s moons.
- Mars’s moons, Deimos and Phobos, named after the gods of dread and panic, respectively, were identified as potential sources due to observed dust dynamics.
Characteristics of Mars’s Moons
- Phobos:
- Larger of the two moons.
- Drifting towards Mars and may eventually collide or break up into a ring.
- Features Stickney crater, named after Asaph Hall’s wife, and experiences significant temperature variations.
- Deimos:
- Surface likely buried under nearly 100 meters of dust.
- Differences in shape and characteristics compared to Phobos.
Mechanism Explaining Dust Production
- Pabari’s models incorporated moon shapes, gravitational effects, spacecraft ejecta impact, and other parameters.
- Micrometeorites, small but fast-moving dust particles, collide with Mars’s moons. Lack of atmospheres allows these particles to create small dust clouds.
- Moons’ low gravity facilitates the escape of smaller dust particles into space, contributing to the observed increase in dust flux.
Implications and Future Confirmatory Mission
- A potential explanation for the zodiacal dust mystery.
- Future missions to Phobos and Deimos could validate findings, specifically examining mass loss and confirming the calculated dust dynamics.
- The study underscores the importance of understanding celestial dust dynamics for future space exploration endeavors.
Conclusion
- PRL Ahmedabad’s study, leveraging unexpected data from Juno’s encounter, unravels the potential contribution of Mars’s moons to the enigmatic zodiacal dust.
- The findings open avenues for further exploration and emphasize the significance of interdisciplinary studies in unraveling celestial mysteries.