On radiative gas-dynamical processes in the atmosphere caused by a comet impact on the Earth's surface.
Abstract
A theoretical analysis suggests that, in the event of the impact of a comet against the earth's surface, a significant part of the energy may be released in the form of thermal energy of the vapor. It is estimated that, at a sufficiently high initial vapor temperature, about 20 percent of the energy will issue as radiation from the dispersed comet matter and from the plasma formed in the atmosphere. It is further speculated that extremely large-scale fires resulting from the impact may produce a biological catastrophe.
- Publication:
-
Meteoritika
- Pub Date:
- 1989
- Bibcode:
- 1989Metik..48..141N
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Radiation;
- Comets;
- Earth Surface;
- Gas Dynamics;
- Hypervelocity Impact;
- Atmospheric Density;
- Planetary Evolution;
- Space Plasmas;
- Geophysics;
- Earth Atmosphere;
- Earth Atmosphere: Meteorite Craters;
- Earth Atmosphere: Comets