[meteorite-list] grains of sand

From: Martin Altmann <altmann_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2013 13:15:22 +0100
Message-ID: <000001cedc7c$35c918b0$a15b4a10$_at_de>

>Where did this (factoid)
>originate...

Hi Paul,

Historically, I suppose, most likely from Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel and
Giovanni Schiaparelli.
Bessel published in 1836 a theory on the physical nature of comets,
postulating that their tails must consist of dust,
expelled from the comet and driven away by a repulsive force by the sun;
and Schiaparelli established in 1867 in his "Note e riflessioni intorno alla
teoria astronomica delle stelle cadenti"
the connection between four annual meteor streams and four comets, in
demonstrating that they share the same orbits.

Best!
Martin



-----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
[mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] Im Auftrag von Paul
Gessler
Gesendet: Donnerstag, 7. November 2013 04:42
An: meteorite-list
Betreff: [meteorite-list] grains of sand

Was wondering about the statement that shooting stars we see are no bigger
than grains of sand???
I here it used all the time and haven't really given it any thought. I
don't buy it!
I don't think a grain of sand would be able to generate enough light to be
visible from earth?
Has anyone actually measured these grains of sand? If so how was it done.
Where did this (factoid)
originate and is there any validity to it?
I could see gravel sized debris producing what we see but not sand and
smaller.

Any one care to comment?

Paul Gessler

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Received on Fri 08 Nov 2013 07:15:22 AM PST