METEORIC INTERACTION WITH THE ATMOSPHERE; THEORY OF DRAG AND HEATING AND COMPARISON WITH OBSERVATIONS,
Abstract
The entry of meteoroids into the earth's atmosphere involves velocities higher than presently available in any terrestrial laboratory facility. While meteoric interaction with the atmosphere obviously does not provide a control led type of experiment and many of the test conditions must be deduced indirectly, it offers the opportunity of aerodynamic data at extreme velocities and altitudes. Extensive observations of meteor velocity, luminosity, and altitudes, together with atmospheric-density observations, now enable certain deductions to be made about the aerodynamic drag and heating. Comparison is made between meteor theory and observations in an attempt to obtain information about the mechanisms of aerodynamic drag, aerodynamic heating, and surface ablation. General analytical expressions are developed for meteoroid deceleration, mass loss, and luminosity. The results of this analysis are expressed in terms of the observational quantities and compared with the more reliable measurements. This comparison indicates that the extension of conventional free-molecule aerodynamics to the meteor case appears to be justified. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1959
- Accession Number
- AD0605102
Entities
People
- Carl Gazley Jr.
Organizations
- RAND Corporation