Comparative studies of meteoroid-planet interaction in the inner solar system

Abstract

We review the current state of studies in planet–meteoroid interactions, a relatively new discipline in planetary science. Recent observations of phenomena such as meteor trails in the atmosphere of Mars and impact flashes on the Moon have prompted new theoretical work in the field. However, our ability to test these new models and advance our understanding of the processes involved is being inhibited by the lack of systematic long-term observations with instruments dedicated to the task. Here we consider the different types of meteoroid effects on a planetary environment. The current state of knowledge leads us to expect signatures detectable by existing instrumentation, either serendipitously or, in a more targeted fashion, by employing such apparatus in innovative ways and making use of already available model predictions. These will result in near-term advances in the field, to be used towards incorporating meteoroideffect- detecting capabilities explicitly into future planetary instrumentation or building dedicated instruments.