Cometary dust loss, meteoroid streams and the inner solar system dust cloud

This paper reviews the way in which the dust cloud in the inner solar system is fed by the decay of comets and by interasteroidal collisions. Both these mechanisms lead to the formation of streams of meteoroid particles that can be observed on Earth as meteor showers. The orbital characteristics of these stream particles provide vital clues as to the dust production mechanisms. The paper also discusses the ways in which stream particles become sporadic particles, the life-times of particles of specific masses and the question as to whether the solar system dust cloud is in equilibrium or not.