[meteorite-list] Entry Dynamics in Peru

[Michael Farmer]

I never thought of that elton, but indeed, at that
atitude, it was hard to breath, I had altitude
sickness much of the time, there, shortness of breath,
headaches and loss of apetite. At that altitude, the
air is very thin. I am sure that helped the meteorite
retain some speed, not to mention the fact that it
must weigh some tons.
mike

--- Mr EMan <mstreman53 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> 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
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