[meteorite-list] Speed that meteors enter dark flight?

From: Graham Ensor <graham.ensor_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2012 17:43:46 +0000
Message-ID: <CAJkn+kb3VNKBZw-pgTDACgvkCYm2b1w4eaSkQbY-t4nJT_etLQ_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi All,

I have been wondering lately if there have been calculations done on
the speeds that meteors stop their hot flight and enter dark flight.

What speed does a body have to reach before it generates a hot plasma
ball that shows as a fireball...or in other words how fast could a
body travel without becoming incandescent.

I know this is going to vary depending on altitude or thickness of
atmosphere and possibly size.

Has anyone seen data that shows this?

Cheers,

Graham
Received on Wed 07 Mar 2012 12:43:46 PM PST