Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

FreneticPlatypus t1_ispz9vq wrote

While that's a lot of dust, I think it's a net loss annually considering how much of the atmosphere we lose to space every day.
https://www.sciencealert.com/earth-loses-hundreds-of-tons-atmosphere-to-space-every-day

5

Cetun t1_issxhgv wrote

On the scale of the entire Earth that actually doesn't seem like very much dust at all especially considering that's spread out throughout the entire world and the amount of space the Earth flies through. Considering every year over 6,000 meteors reach the ground, and the inner solar system is probably still filled with dust from extra planetary collisions and solar winds, you would think that number would be higher.

2

FreneticPlatypus t1_isszl6m wrote

Honestly for me, masses and distances and numbers that big are beyond comprehension. The article could give any number and I probably wouldn’t argue it.

2

Fallacy_Spotted t1_isqvey1 wrote

Several hundred tons < 5200 tons of dust. While the Earth does lose a lot of mass from solar erosion it will still gain more from dust each year.

−2

PA2SK t1_isr46dn wrote

The earth loses around 90 tons of atmosphere per day. That's about 32,850 tons per year. Overall the earth is shrinking.

10

BigBeard77 t1_isr3n8s wrote

Several hundred tons (of oxygen) a day > 5200 tons of dust each year

1

A_Vandalay t1_isrb7u5 wrote

Most of the gas lost to space is hydrogen and helium. Due to its lower molar mass it is much easier for these molecules to reach escape velocity.

2