[meteorite-list] Entry Dynamics in Peru

From: Mr EMan <mstreman53_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2007 03:34:50 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <271057.78857.qm_at_web51002.mail.re2.yahoo.com>

As to the mention of dense atmosphere, doesn't 90% of
the mass of the atmosphere lie below 2.5 miles above
sea level/asl?

I surmise that the shear(no pun) height of the ground
there with the combination of a large meteoroid mass
may have allowed for more retention of cosmic velocity
then expected. The meteorite had the happenstance of
hitting the ground before the atmosphere had the
opportunity to deliver its main blow.

Five miles was the traditional estimate of the lower
limit where ablative flight was possible. I know of a
case where a bolide apparently was incandescent at
nearly 3 miles asl. If the event in Peru was at 2.6
miles asl and while, ablation all the way to the
ground may seem unlikely--For only another half mile?
of flight, this sucker may have still been smoking
when it landed!

Inquiring minds ya know.

Elton
Received on Thu 04 Oct 2007 06:34:50 AM PDT