Microwave Extinction Measurements of Aerosolized Interstellar Dust Analogs

Abstract

Interstellar dust plays an important role in astrophysical processes and ob- servational astronomy, and a thorough knowledge of its composition and optical properties is essential to astronomy. However, only very limited intact samples of interstellar dust exist on Earth, and thus its properties must be inferred through observations. We present an instrument designed to provide direct observations of dust analogs in the lab by measuring microwave absorption of particulate suspensions. The instrument has been demonstrated on silica particle suspensions and promises to be useful in a wide range of dust studies.