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Meteoroid
About: Meteoroid is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3328 publications have been published within this topic receiving 63446 citations.
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TL;DR: In this article, a detailed analysis of the effects of mutual collisions (i.e., destruction of meteoroids and production of fragment particles) and of radiation pressure has been performed which yielded a new picture of the balance of the meteoritic complex.
932 citations
TL;DR: The mass of extraterrestrial material accreted by the Earth as submillimeter particles has not previously been measured with a single direct and precise technique, but this mass input is comparable with or greater than the average contribution from extraterrestrial bodies in the 1-centimeter to 10-kilometer size range.
Abstract: The mass of extraterrestrial material accreted by the Earth as submillimeter particles has not previously been measured with a single direct and precise technique that samples the particle sizes representing most of that mass. The flux of meteoroids in the mass range 10(-9) to 10(-4) grams has now been determined from an examination of hypervelocity impact craters on the space-facing end of the Long Duration Exposure Facility satellite. The meteoroid mass distribution peaks near 1.5 x 10(-5) grams (200 micrometers in diameter), and the small particle mass accretion rate is (40 +/- 20) x 106 kilograms per year, higher than previous estimates but in good agreement with total terrestrial mass accretion rates found by geochemical methods. This mass input is comparable with or greater than the average contribution from extraterrestrial bodies in the 1-centimeter to 10-kilometer size range.
845 citations
01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reevaluate the size distribution of interplanetary meteoroids on the basis of the most recent data, and analyze the probable nature of the sinks and sources of meteoritic material.
Abstract: The present study has the objective to reevaluate the size distribution of interplanetary meteoroids on the basis of the most recent data, and to analyze the probable nature of the sinks and sources of meteoritic material. The flux of interplanetary meteorites at 1 AU is discussed, taking into account general characteristics, lunar crater distribution, flux curves, spatial densities, and cross-sectional distribution and light scattering. Collisional effects are examined, giving attention to catastrophic collisions, collision rate, and destroyed mass and generated fragments. The effect of radiation pressure on small particles is considered along with the difference between the lunar and interplanetary flux models, collisional evolution at 1 AU, potential sources for large meteoroids, and observational evidence of losses of small micrometeoroids.
793 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a mathematical model was used to predict the rate at which such a belt might form, under certain conditions the belt could begin to form within this century and could be a significant problem during the next century.
Abstract: As the number of artificial satellites in earth orbit increases, the probability of collisions between satellites also increases. Satellite collisions would produce orbiting fragments, each of which would increase the probability of further collisions, leading to the growth of a belt of debris around the earth. This process parallels certain theories concerning the growth of the asteroid belt. The debris flux in such an earth-orbiting belt could exceed the natural meteoroid flux, affecting future spacecraft designs. A mathematical model was used to predict the rate at which such a belt might form. Under certain conditions the belt could begin to form within this century and could be a significant problem during the next century. The possibility that numerous unobserved fragments already exist from spacecraft explosions would decrease this time interval. However, early implementation of specialized launch constraints and operational procedures could significantly delay the formation of the belt.
758 citations
TL;DR: Theoretical models of meteoroid interaction with the Earth's atmosphere are given and applied to observational data as discussed by the authors, including radar observations, spectroscopic observations, experiments with artificial meteors and different types of meteor sounds.
Abstract: Meteoroids can be observed at collision with the Earth's atmosphere as meteors. Different methods of observing meteors are presented: besides the traditional counts of individual events, exact methods yield also data on the geometry of the atmospheric trajectory; on the dynamics and ablation of the body in the atmosphere; on radiation; on the spectral distribution of radiation; on ionization; on accompanying sounds; and also data on orbits. Theoretical models of meteoroid interaction with the atmosphere are given and applied to observational data. Attention is paid to radar observations; to spectroscopic observations; to experiments with artificial meteors and to different types of meteor sounds. The proposed composition and structure of meteoroids as well as their orbits link them to meteorites, asteroids and comets. Meteor streams can be observed as meteor showers and storms. The rate of influx of meteoroids of different sizes onto Earth is presented and potential hazards discussed.
752 citations