Mesospheric dust studies with sample analysis and in-situ measurement from Maxidusty-2

Dust particles play an important role in the physics and chemistry of the mesosphere. Nanometer-scaled particles, denoted as meteoric smoke particles (MSPs) and formed on the course of the ablation process of a meteoroid, are one of the most plausible candidates for contributing to forming ice particles by acting as condensation nuclei. Because of measurement difficulties, very little is known about the MSPs composition which is yet of crucial importance to model their charge and radius distribution. Accordingly, the Maxidusty-2 rocket was launched into a noctilucent cloud on 5th July 2025. The success of this campaign enables to perform different in-situ measurement with multiple dust detectors including the collection of dust samples.Preliminary analysis of the samples using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at the NTNU TEM Gemini Centre indicates the presence of metals, notably phosphorus and magnesium. Three different types of dust detectors measured signals as the rocket passed through the altitude of the noctilucent cloud.In this presentation, we will discuss the first results of sample analysis based on the first measurement at the NTNU TEM Gemini Centre and compare them with in-situ measurements. We also address the challenges in the analytical methods associated with these unique samples and present initial findings on the size distribution of nm-scale particles.