Observations on the spatial distribution of Dhajala meteorite fragments in the strewnfield
Abstract
The Dhajala meteorite fragments were found scattered over an elliptical area of approx. 50 sq km. More than 500 fragments weighing over 60 kg have been collected. The observed number-mass distribution of fragments indicates that the overall collection efficiency is probably better than 60%. Laboratory observations of meteorite fragments and field observations of their distribution indicate that: (1) more than 95% of the stones had well-developed crust on their surfaces; (2) a few fragments shattered on impact but most retained crust on at least 70% of their surface area; (3) the differential number mass distribution follows a single power-law relation with a slope of 1.53 + or - 0.12 for fragments of mass between 10 and 10,000 g; and (4) the mass of fragments, geometric as well as arithmetic, increases exponentially as a function of projected distance along the major axis of the area of impact, in the direction of flight, with a scale length of 2.2 km. The observations of the spatial distribution strongly support Frost's (1969) hypothesis of sorting.
- Publication:
-
Indian Academy of Sciences Proceedings Section
- Pub Date:
- October 1977
- Bibcode:
- 1977InASP..86..393L
- Keywords:
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- Fragmentation;
- Meteorite Collisions;
- Meteoroid Showers;
- Spatial Distribution;
- Mass Distribution;
- Stony Meteorites;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration