Study of the Extraterrestrial Materials in Antarctica (VI) : Cosmic Dust Collected from the Glacier Ice of the Meteorite Ice Field, Yamato Mountains

Abstract

Black spherical microparticles, glassy microparticles and other irregular-shaped particles were collected from the glacier ice, sampled in December 1974, of the Meteorite Ice Field, Yamato Mountains. Their chemical and physical properties were compared with those of previously collected cosmic dust at various places in the world, and the relationship of these particles to the Yamato meteorites fall was also studied. Any specific particles associated with the Yamato meteorites were not confirmed. The annual accretion rate of black spherical microparticles on the whole earth is estimated at 2.9 to 5.0×l0^4t/year. This value agrees with the annual fall rate of cosmic dust collected from the Antarctic ice near Syowa Station.