Meteors: The oyher interplanetary dust particles

The question underlying this paper is how to exploit existing data to try gaining newinsights that lead to testable predictions. The complete data set for aggregate particles collectedin the lower stratosphere supports the hypothesis of hierarchical dust accretion for corcletary dust.The hypothesis predicts the mineralogical and chemical properties of cometary meteoroids up topebble-sized objects. These testable predictions can be tested by quantitative determinations ofthe physical and chemical properties of shower meteors. The synergy between such systematicmeteor studies and the laboratory analyses of aggregate particles offers a way to learn about theformation, accretion and evolution of the icy protoplanets that became conlet nuclei.