[meteorite-list] Burst of Meteors Seen Near Finland

[Marc D. Fries]

Howdy, list

   Impressive picture!  The trail is twisted in a repeating fashion that
can't just be due to winds - I'd say the meteor corkscrewed its way
through the atmosphere.  I'm curious - the maximum "survivable" entry
velocity for meteorites was calculated a while back (forgive the lack
of reference here).  Would a twisting, spiraling entry have an impact
on the survivability of meteorites?  I'm inclined to believe that if
the total air resistance vector was divided into an opposing vector and
a sideways vector...  would that mean the meteorite could be smaller
and survive, or would it have to be larger??  On one hand, the vector
magnitude parallel/opposite to the flight path would be smaller, but on
the other hand you'd have a "sideways" vector that would put a shear
force on the meteorite.  The shear strength of materials tends to be a
fraction of that of the bulk material strength, so would the meteorite
be MORE likely to break up in a corkscrewing flight path?

    Thoughts?  Comments?  Does anyone know if anyone has calculated this
sort of thing before?

Cheers,
MDF

>
> You can find the pic from;
>
> http://www.vasabladet.fi/nyheter.asp?katID=1
>
> text only in swedish...;-
>
> best,
>
> pekka s
>
>

-- 
Marc D. Fries, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Carnegie Institution of Washington
Geophysical Laboratory
5251 Broad Branch Rd. NW
Washington, DC 20015
PH:  202 478 7970
FAX: 202 478 8901