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(meteorobs) Small comets and meteors
Wednesday June 4, 1997
I have been reading Louis Frank's book called THE BIG SPLASH which is the
story of the discovery of "possible" small comets and the controversy it
has generated in the scientific community. The book was published in 1990
so I don't know what new findings have occurred in the past seven years.
I am only on page 80 or so and thus far the book has a lot of meteor
relevant information and I would recommend Frank's book to meteor
observers. It may be possible that meteor observers may have important
criticisms of his observations.
Half of his book deals with the present day scientific process and how
problematic peer review is and how quirky personalities in the professional
scientific community can be. Whereas press reports have made Frank out to
be an oddball he points out that he is an accomplished plasma physicist
with numerous experiments, many papers, and solid discoveries to his
credit.
Here are some interesting meteor related points thus far:
He writes that it is possible that the small comet rates are in line with
year long background sporadic variability. But small comets have not
equated with meteor shower activity. Quote: "The similarity between the
background meteor rate and and the rate for atmospheric holes was
stunning." p. 73 ( AMS folks, your sporadic radiometer work may have
significant bearing on small comet proving or not proving. )
He gets into noctilucent cloud studies. He says it is possible that
extraterrestrial cometary water infall has a bearing on noctilucent cloud
patterns and he gets into "aeronomy" which is the study of upper
atmospheres.
Supposedly the small comets are mostly water and minimal dust. He does say
the comets could skin over with a "thin carbon mantle."
In a later chapter he will discuss if small comets can be seen with the
naked eye. I haven't read this far yet but will report to the list with
information.
Gotta go for now!
Clear skies,
Tom Ashcraft
Santa Fe, New Mexico