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Re: (meteorobs) Re: Meteoroid Size
Hello everyone, I have been lurking, learning and enjoying for a little
time. Now I feel a post coming upon me !
Gosh, all that light and radio-reflective ionisation from a 2cm piece of
styrofoam, amazing! Bob, thanks, I've put my hard hat back under the bed <g>
For something so transient 80ish km ( ? ) away, how is the mass, density,
size determined? Sorry if this is a FAQ, I missed it, please point me the way.
BTW, I am new to the internet (but 40+ years a casual amateur astronomer!)
and I think I have troubles with lost mail on my ISP, so if anyone wants to
reply direct by e-mail then please use my alternate address :---
M.Purves@pmail.net, or copy both that and the source of this, thanks.
Regards, Malcolm.
----------
> Dale Ireland wrote:
> >
> > I am guessing that should be 0.2 centimeters rather than 2 centimeter=
s.
> > It is a better fit with the stated weight also, a 2cm object weighing=
1
> > gram would have the density of styrofoam.
> >
>
> Dale,
>
> 2.0 centimeters is the correct figure for meteoroids originating from
> comets. Actually styrofoam is denser than your average meteoroid
> originating from a comet. It has been stated that these meteoroids have
> the consistency of cigar ash. No wonder there are no chances of it
> surviving its plunge through the atmosphere!
>
> Dale, you already know this but to those who don't, another source of
> meteoroids are asteroids. These meteoroids are made up of metals and
> stone and would have a much greater density than those from comets. It
> is these meteoroids that are often able to survive the plunge through
> the Earth's atmosphere and are found as meteorites upon the ground.
>
> All major annual showers, except perhaps the Geminids, originated from
> comets. Since the density of the average Geminid is not that much
> greater than that of the average Perseid meteoroid it would be safe to
> guess that the asteroid 1983TB (parent body of the Geminids) was once =
a
> comet.
>
> The bottom line is: don't worry about wearing hard hats during the majo=
r
> meteor showers. It is that occasional sporadic that is going to get you=
!
>
> Bob Lunsford