Synergies between interstellar dust and heliospheric science with an Interstellar Probe

TL;DR

This paper explores how an Interstellar Probe with a dedicated dust suite can significantly advance our understanding of interstellar dust and heliospheric physics through synergistic measurements across multiple space missions.

Contribution

It proposes a novel mission concept integrating dust science with heliospheric studies, emphasizing the importance of multi-vantage point measurements and technological development.

Findings

Interstellar dust can serve as a tracer for heliosphere properties.

Synergistic measurements from multiple missions improve dust flow understanding.

A dedicated dust suite on an Interstellar Probe enhances dust research and heliospheric science.

Abstract

We discuss the synergies between heliospheric and dust science, the open science questions, the technological endeavors and programmatic aspects that are important to maintain or develop in the decade to come. In particular, we illustrate how we can use interstellar dust in the solar system as a tracer for the (dynamic) heliosphere properties, and emphasize the fairly unexplored, but potentially important science question of the role of cosmic dust in heliospheric and astrospheric physics. We show that an Interstellar Probe mission with a dedicated dust suite would bring unprecedented advances to interstellar dust research, and can also contribute-through measuring dust - to heliospheric science. This can, in particular, be done well if we work in synergy with other missions inside the solar system, thereby using multiple vantage points in space to measure the dust as it `rolls' into the heliosphere. Such synergies between missions inside the solar system and far out are crucial for disentangling the spatially and temporally varying dust flow. Finally, we highlight the relevant instrumentation and its suitability for contributing to finding answers to the research questions.