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Re:Space Debris



-- [ From: Robert Lunsford * EMC.Ver #2.10P ] --

Tom,

There have been several excellent replys to your question concerning
space debris. I also thought I would add my two cents worth. The
percentage of space debris vs. actual meteors is very low, much less
than 1 percent. I have recorded over 40,000 meteors but have seen less
than 5 re-entrys by man-made objects. The percentage is higher when
compared to fireballs simply because there are many less meteors that
reach fireball brightness. The easiest way to distinguish between the
two are that debris re-entering the atmosphere usually last for several
seconds and may travel a good length of the sky. A great majority of
meteors last less than one second before extinguishing. I cannot think
of any papers on the subject off the top of my head. If I do I will let
you know.

I hope you get some much needed precipitation soon!

Bob in San Diego