How are dust particles primarily measured *in situ* during space missions?
Answer
By impact detectors converting kinetic energy into an electrical signal
The empirical measurement of interplanetary dust particles relies on specialized instrumentation carried directly on spacecraft navigating the solar system, known as *in situ* detection. When a micrometeoroid or piece of space dust physically strikes one of these dedicated impact detectors aboard the mission hardware, the collision converts the particle's kinetic energy into a measurable electrical signal. This signal allows scientists to precisely determine critical characteristics of the particle, such as its velocity and mass, thereby providing direct and immediate quantitative measurements of the local dust flux.
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