Periodic Influx of Interplanetary Dust Particles into the Terrestrial Atmosphere

Abstract

In  this  paper a  brief account is at first given of some available  evidences  on  the influx of interplanetary dust particles into the terrestrial atmosphere, viz. , presence of sodium at high altitudes, appearance of noctilucent clouds, pitting of polished surfaces during high altitude rocket flights, high nickel content in deep sea sediments and periodic occurrence of  heavy rainfall in association with meteor showers. These dust particles have sizes of the same order as of  those which account for the outer corona of  the Sun, but terrestrial evidences suggest a higher concentration in the Vicinity of the Earth. Discussing the processes which are responsible for the high concentration of dust particles, it has been suggested  that solar corpuscular  streams push interplanetary dust particles towards the Earth  by repeated impacts. This mechanism is expected to give rise to an accumulation of dust particles near the Earth, as well as in the plane of ecliptic.