Cosmic Dust

Cosmic Dust
Cosmic dust is dust which exists in space. It is for the most part a type of small dust particles which are a few molecules to 0.1 µm in size. A smaller fraction of all dust in space consists of larger refractory minerals that condensed as matter left the stars. It is called "stardust" and is included in a separate section below. The dust density in the local interstellar medium of the Local Bubble is approximately 10−6 × dust grain/m3 with each grain having a mass of approximately 10−17 kg.

Cosmic dust can be further distinguished by its astronomical location: intergalactic dust, interstellar dust , interplanetary dust (such as in the zodiacal cloud ) and circumplanetary dust (such as in a planetary ring). In the Solar System, interplanetary dust causes the zodiacal light. Sources of Solar System dust include comet dust, asteroidal dust , dust from the Kuiper belt , and interstellar dust passing through the Solar System. The terminology has no specific application for describing materials found on the planet Earth except for dust that has demonstrably fallen to Earth. By one estimate, as much as 40,000 tons of cosmic dust reaches the Earth's surface every year.

cosmic dust contains complex organic matter ("amorphous organic solids with a mixed aromatic–aliphatic structure ") that could be created naturally, and rapidly, by stars.

Furhter reading on Cosmic Dust

Cosmic Dust use and commercial importance
The collection,prcessing and refining of cosmic dust (in all its forms and sources) is a Trillion Credit industry, employing millions.

Cosmic dust is collected for many reasons, for organic matter research, for food ( base food for Lyrharm) for fuel but mainly for mineral and metal. Cosmic dust contains the many needed materials  and in a very high purity grade. Of course only the densest regions are "scooped and harvested".

The Wurgus were the first who begun developing Cosmic dust collection and processing methods and equipment. Terrans also developed such techniques shortly after their descent. The methods and technology developed by these societies and the steady demand on Cosmic Dust products has developed this business and industry branch.

The Association of Dust Miners and Scoopers (ADMS) is an industrial interest group and organization at Pluribus.

Cosmic Dust and Micro meteors
Cosmic dust and micro meteors pose a serious problem to an object traveling at near relativistc speeds, as the particles become "projectiles" and wear armor and armor plating down. Protection against Cosmic Dust and Micro meteor impact is seen as a hallmark of TL3 and higher.