[meteorite-list] NPA 11-15-1946 Army-CIT Artificial Meteorites Test

From: MARK BOSTICK <thebigcollector_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed Jul 27 12:51:00 2005
Message-ID: <BAY104-F22FBCEF30B428B8A909DE1B3CC0_at_phx.gbl>

Paper: The Berkshire Evening Eagle
City: Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Date: Friday, November 15, 1946
Page: 9 (of 28)

Meteorites Shot From Plane To Gauge Size of Real Meteors

     CAMBRIDGE (AP) - Miniature meteorites shot from the nose of an Army V-2
rocket 40 miles in the air - soon may aid scientists in determining the size
of real meteors. Dr. Fred L. Whipple of the Harvard College Observatory
said a test will be conducted Dec. 17 at White Sands Proving Grounds, New
Mexico.
     Information about many phenomena of the upper atmosphere, including
reactions of the atmosphere to moving bodies passing through it, may be
obtained during the 30 seconds of the rocket's ascent, Dr. Whipple added.
The experimental rocket will begin to throw out the "meteorites" in swarms
when 20 miles up, he said, continuing to do so until it reaches a height of
40 miles. The man-made iron missiles have been set to fire from the rocket
head at the same speeds at which natural meteors enter the earth's
atmosphere.

To Compare Light

     Two aerial cameras - fitted with rotating shutters covering an area of
40 to 45 degrees of the sky - will record the flight of the missiles. By
comparing the brightness of the artificial meteors, scientists hope to
determine the size of real meteors.
     "At the present time," Dr. Whipple explained, "the sizes of observed
meteors are calculated from theoretical information only. The heights,
brightness, speeds and rates of slowing down can be measured directly."
     Discovery of reactions of the upper atmosphere to moving bodies passing
through it, and elimination of guesswork on the actual sizes of natural
meteors are the hoped for results of the New Mexico experiment, Dr. Whipple
said.

(end)

Clear Skies,
Mark Bostick
Wichita, Kansas
http://www.meteoritearticles.com
http://www.kansasmeteoritesociety.com
http://www.imca.cc

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PDF copy of this article, and most I post (and about 1/2 of those on my
website), is available upon e-mail request.

The NPA in the subject line, stands for Newspaper Article. The old list
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more for quick reference and shortening the subject line now.
Received on Wed 27 Jul 2005 12:50:58 PM PDT