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Re: (meteorobs) Fwd: Meteorite said to start backyard fire



Gramer>>But
of the few that survive, essentially all go through this period of free fall,
or "dark flight". <<

The free fall segment of a meteorite is the last stage of dark flight. The 
dark flight stage starts with the extinguishment of the meteors incandescent 
light. At this point, the meteorite is traveling faster than it would at free 
fall....quite a bit faster actually. Several thousand miles per hour. 

>> And Ed, if I understand your post
correctly, that residual warmth does NOT come from a meteoroid's fiery entry
into the air, but rather from solar heating of the object in the atmosphere?<<

I doubt there would be much significant "solar" heating of a meteorite 
falling thru the atmosphere...particularly at night.  :o)  Most likely any 
residual warmth felt immediately after it hits the ground is not due to any 
fiery entry into the air, but from simple friction thru the air as it falls. 
The fiery glow a meteor makes thru the atmosphere is not due to friction, but 
air compression. You compress air and it becomes quite hot. Try filling up an 
oxygen bottle and then notice the cylinder shell is quite warm to the touch. 
GeoZay
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