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Fireball end heights - A diagnostic for the structure of meteoric materialAn earlier analysis of Prairie Network fireball trajectory data failed to discriminate between the varieties of meteoric materials that are thought to be present. The Lost City meteorite event offers another calibration of the fireball data and prompts a reanalysis intended to distinguish between ordinary chondritic meteorites and the more fragile early-type carbonaceous chondrites. The carbonaceous material is expected to ablate more readily and have shorter trajectories or higher end heights. Observational error and natural dispersion in the structures produce severe smoothing effects, and the end-height diagnostic is, in itself, not entirely convincing. However, after making a tentative division of the data, one can discern differences in orbits and beginning heights among the three end-height groups. These are consistent with expectations of the behavior of chondritic stones (group I), weak carbonaceous chondrites (group II), and still more fragile cometary material (group III). It is concluded that if the carbonaceous material occurs in reasonable abundance among the fireballs, it has been properly identified by this analysis.
Document ID
19770034097
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Ceplecha, Z.
(Ceskoslovenska Akademie Ved Observator, Ondrejov, Czechoslovakia)
Mccrosky, R. E.
(Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Cambridge, Mass., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
December 10, 1976
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 81
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
77A16949
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-09-015-004
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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