Three-dimensional models of the zodiacal dust cloud - a comparative study

Attempts to synthesize optical and infrared results in modeling the zodiacal dust cloud are considered. Several analytical presentations of the three-dimensional distribution of interplanetary dust have been derived from measurements of the zodiacal light. To provide a basis for comparisons with infrared measurements classical and some new optical approaches are reviewed and compared with observations of the zodiacal light all over the sky and in selected viewing directions. Strengths and weaknesses of the models are discussed and qualitatively explained. 45 references