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Effect of meteoroid rotation on atmospheric entry heating and meteor beginning heightThe beginning height of a meteor varies by approximately 10 km depending on the rotation state of a spherical meteoroid as long as the body sustains a temperature gradient. Such gradients build up in friable stony meteoroids larger than approximately 0.1 cm and in iron meteoroids that are approximately 1 cm or larger. The height where 100 microns or smaller zodiacal dust particles ablate is nearly independent of rotation. Stony particles in the 100 microns size range ablate near 120 km while both larger and smaller meteoroids penetrate deeper. All calculations were made with a nominal speed of 30 km/s and a zenithal distance equal to z(sub r) = 0 deg. Larger meteoroids cool their surface by conduction to the interior while smaller meteoroids decelerate significantly due to their large surface area to mass ratio so that the surface receives a lower energy flux. Some micro-meteoroids smaller than approximately 10 microns may escape abalation altogether at the nominal velocity. The effect of rotation on particle temperature during atmospheric flight is significant on meteoroids larger than 0.1 cm but may be negligible on micro-meteorites that are typically 10-50 microns in diameter.
Document ID
19950038047
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Adolfsson, L. G.
(Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL United States)
Gustafson, B. A. S.
(Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary and Space Science
Volume: 42
Issue: 8
ISSN: 0032-0633
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
95A69646
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2775
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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