The powerful explosion of a supernova has the potential to remove nearly all dust from solar system environments. Recent research indicates that the last significant occurrence of such an event may have taken place around 3 million years ago. However, much like dust accumulating on surfaces, these minute particles in space will slowly return over time.
The dust observed drifting through the cosmos is comprised of tiny grains formed by events such as asteroid collisions. These grains typically measure less than a millimeter, with some being as small as nanometers. Approximately 70 percent of the solar system’s dust is a result of these cosmic processes.
