Bolide dynamics and luminosity modeling : comparisons between uniform bulk density and porous meteoroid models
- Douglas O.
We compare predictions of bolide behavior using basic meteoroid models, first assuming a uniform bulk density throughout the body and secondly assuming a uniform chondritic composition throughout, but with varying amounts of porosity (assumed to be filled with either water-ice or open space). The second model is based one the uniformity of spectral observations over many years from shower meteors from the extremes of the Geminids to the dustball-like Draconids. The first model utilized is due to ReVelle (1979, 1993) and the second is based upon the porous meteoroid model of ReVelle (1983, 1993). The standard, uniform bulk density model assumes that the drag and heat transfer area are equivalent in the positive, shape change factor limit. For porous meteoroids however, the heat transfer area can exceed the drag area by increasingly larger amounts as the body's porosity increases. ReVelle (1983) used this approach to show that the bulk density and ablation parameter compositional group identifications of Ceplecha and McCrosky (1976) were essentially correct. When these factors are introduced into the relevant model equations, a set of nearly self-consistent predictive relations are developed which readily allows comparisons to be made of the end-height variations and of the normalized luminous output of the two basic meteoroid models.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE
- OSTI ID:
- 975806
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-01-5647
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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