Ablation of small iron meteoroids–First results. (1st September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Čapek, David; Borovička, Jiří
• Is Part Of: Planetary and space science. Volume 143(2017)
• Page Start: 159
• Page End: 163
• Publication Date: 2017-09-01
• Subjects: Ablation -- Iron -- Meteor -- Meteoroid -- Numerical model; Space sciences -- Periodicals; Atmosphere, Upper -- Periodicals; Sciences spatiales -- Périodiques; Haute atmosphère -- Périodiques; 523
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2017.03.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-0633

Abstract

Abstract: A population of faint meteors with low velocities, and low beginning heights have been described byBorovička et al. (2005) andCampbell-Brown (2015) . They have only iron lines in their spectra. Most of them have unusual light curves that can not be explained by classical single body ablation theory or by fragmentation models. We developed a model which considers iron meteoroids and three different processes of the ablation. The comparison of theoretical and observed meteor heights and light curves leads to the conclusions that (i) vaporization of the liquid from the surface of the meteoroid is too slow a process and it is not able to explain the majority of the observed meteors. (ii) Breakup of the liquid drop would not occur at all or occur at heights which are too low. (iii) The immediate removal of the liquid from the meteoroid's surface and fast release of its kinetic energy is the most probable process leading to the observed meteors. This scenario predicts similar heights, lenghts, and light curves as observed meteors. Abstract : Highlights: The numerical model of iron meteoroids? ablation in atmosphere is developed. Light curves predicted by the model are compared with observed ones. Blow off the liquid layer from the surface of meteoroid is the main ablation process.