Physical parameters of meteoroids undergoing quasicontinuous crushing in the atmosphere. II - Interpretation of the parameters

The physical characteristics of meteoroids and the properties of how they are destroyed in the atmosphere of the earth are analyzed using a model of quasi-continuous fragmentation of the surface layer of the meteroid which includes the effects of a variable coefficient of heat transfer. It is found that about half of the meteoroid experiences only a single evaporation. About half of the meteoroids investigated were destroyed in the earth's atmosphere while still in the solid phase, while the rest were destroyed by ablation from a liquid phase. A comparison of the parameters of these meteoroids reveals nothing distinctive about the bodies which give rise to bright photographic meteors.