Spatial Distribution and Orbital Properties of Interplanetary Dust at High Latitudes

Abstract

Although the interplanetary dust cloud is assumed to be mainly concentrated in the ecliptic plane, there is a component of dust particles on highly inclined orbits that forms the out-of-ecliptic distribution. The ULYSSES mission for the first time makes this component accessible to in-situ, detection. Evidence for this dust component is also provided from the analysis of the Zodiacal light brightness and especially from the spherical shape of the solar F — corona. An obvious source for an out-of-ecliptic dust population is the activity of comets on high eccentric, highly inclined orbits. We discuss the dynamical conditions of particles under the influence of the radiation pressure when released from the comet and discuss their input to the dust cloud based on brightness analysis and in-situ results.