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Re: (meteorobs) Re: Point meteor!





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> Od: Alexei PACE <apace@maltanetdot net>
> Za: meteorobs@jovian.com
> Zadeva: Re: (meteorobs) Re:  Point meteor!
> Datum: 6. marec 2000 15:50
> 
Why is that?
I guess it would
 > have to have some perceivable length for its trajectory to
 > be right to hit you...
May somebody please explain/

What I wanted to say is, that if you happen to see a point fireball
(not in the zenith!), there would be no chance od being hit by a potential
meteorite, as the meteorite would travel on a parabolic trajectory.

How much could the earth have turned in the <5seconds time the meteorite 
would take to fall to the ground?

I don't think the Earth's rotation (if this is what you mean) would do much
in 5 seconds. Also, there is no definite time required for a meteorite
to reach the ground. But since the meteoroid's speed would have to be
reasonably
low at the beginning for it to reach the ground (less than 28 or something
km/s?)
and the terminal velocity would be around 2 to 4 km/s, I guess it would
take more
than 5 seconds from the beginning of the luminous path to the meteorite
drop.
Experts - correct me if I'm wrong!!!

A meteoroid with a shallow angle of atmospheric
entry may be airborne for over 30 seconds, but then again, seeing such a
point fireball is extremely unlikely! 

Ok, this is just about as much as I know about meteorite drops - from what
I've read at IMO and AMS sites and some articles in S&T and other
magazines...

Clear skies!

Jure A.

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