Perspectives and Challenges in Bolide Infrasound Processing and Interpretation: A Focused Review with Case Studies

Silber, Elizabeth A.

doi:10.3390/rs16193628

Title: Perspectives and Challenges in Bolide Infrasound Processing and Interpretation: A Focused Review with Case Studies

Journal Article · 27 September 2024 · Remote Sensing

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16193628 · OSTI ID:2455111

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Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Infrasound sensing plays a critical role in the detection and analysis of bolides, offering passive, cost-effective global monitoring capabilities. Key objectives include determining the timing, location, and yield of these events. Achieving these goals requires a robust approach to detect, analyze, and interpret rapidly moving elevated sources such as bolides (also re-entry). In light of advancements in infrasonic methodologies, there is a need for a comprehensive overview of the characteristics that distinguish bolides from other infrasound sources and methodologies for bolide infrasound analysis. This paper provides a focused review of key considerations and presents a unified framework to enhance infrasound processing approaches specifically tailored for bolides. Three representative case studies are presented to demonstrate the practical application of infrasound processing methodologies and deriving source parameters while exploring challenges associated with bolide-generated infrasound. These case studies underscore the effectiveness of infrasound in determining source parameters and highlight interpretative challenges, such as variations in signal period measurements across different studies. Future research should place emphasis on improving geolocation and yield accuracy. This can be achieved through rigorous and systematic analyses of large, statistically significant samples of such events, aiming to resolve interpretative inconsistencies and explore the causes for variability in signal periods and back azimuths. The topic described here is also relevant to space exploration involving planetary bodies with atmospheres, such as Venus, Mars, and Titan.

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Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 2455111

Report Number(s):: SAND--2024-13060J

Journal Information:: Remote Sensing, Journal Name: Remote Sensing Journal Issue: 19 Vol. 16; ISSN 2072-4292

Publisher:: MDPICopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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