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Effects of hydrodynamics and thermal radiation in the atmosphere after comet impactsRadiation phenomena in the atmosphere after impacts of cosmic bodies have special features in comparison with the surface nuclear explosions. First, initial concentration of energy after the impact is lower, and second, a wake after the passage of the meteoroid through the atmosphere has a dramatic effect on the atmospheric flow and radiation transfer. Consequently, scaling laws can not be employed for prediction of the flow in the atmosphere and the light flux on the Earth's surface. If a density of high-velocity impactor is low relative to the ground, as in a case of a comet impact on rocks, a major part of the kinetic energy is converted to internal energy of dense hot vapors. But radiation effects can be essential even for fairly low velocities of the impactor. To clarify this issue we have undertaken calculations of 100-Mt explosions at the Earth's surface caused by small comets with velocities from 10 to 70 km/sec. That is, the initial concentration of energy has been varied. The calculations have shown that for velocities of the comet greater or about 20 km/sec a portion of energy emitted from the fireball exceeds 20% of the total energy of the explosion and this quantity does not change very much with the velocity. Other aspects of this investigation are discussed.
Document ID
19940016176
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Nemchinov, I. V.
(Academy of Sciences (USSR) Moscow, Ussr)
Popova, M. P.
(Academy of Sciences (USSR) Moscow, Ussr)
Shubadeeva, L. P.
(Academy of Sciences (USSR) Moscow, Ussr)
Shuvalov, V. V.
(Academy of Sciences (USSR) Moscow, Ussr)
Svetsov, V. V.
(Academy of Sciences (USSR) Moscow, Ussr)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Twenty-Fourth Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Part 3: N-Z
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
94N20649
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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