Article

Plasma Investigations
2009. V. 47. № 6. P. 777–787
Kosarev I.B.
The optical properties of vapors of matter of cosmic bodies invading the Earth atmosphere
Annotation
The procedure is described of the calculation of the optical properties of vapors of matter of cosmic bodies invading the Earth atmosphere. The calculations are performed for a mixture of 16 elements, namely, $\mathrm{Fe}$–$\mathrm{O}$–$\mathrm{Mg}$–$\mathrm{Si}$–$\mathrm{C}$–$\mathrm{N}$–$\mathrm{H}$–$\mathrm{S}$–$\mathrm{Al}$–$\mathrm{Ca}$–$\mathrm{Na}$–$\mathrm{K}$–$\mathrm{Ti}$–$\mathrm{Cr}$–$\mathrm{Mn}$–$\mathrm{Ni}$, for bodies of different chemical compositions such as $\mathrm{H}$-, $\mathrm{LL}$- and $\mathrm{C}$-chondrites, comet matter, and ice in the temperature range from $3$ to $40$ kK. Examples of calculations are given. The results make it possible to demonstrate that, in the case of large meteoroids ($10$ m and more) moving at velocities of $15$–$20$ km/s and higher, the effect of screening of their surface by the emerging vapor layer at altitudes of $30$ km and lower is significant. This considerably reduces the ablation by thermal radiation and promotes deeper penetration of cosmic bodies into the atmosphere.
Article reference:
Kosarev I.B. The optical properties of vapors of matter of cosmic bodies invading the Earth atmosphere, High Temp., 2009. V. 47. № 6. P. 777