Meteor study finds melting and fragmentation drive mass loss during atmospheric entry

The short version

• ScienceDaily reports that researchers examined video and photographs of 75 meteorite falls and identified seven stages.[ScienceDaily]
• The lead author, Peter Jenniskens of the SETI Institute and NASA Ames, says melting and fragmentation control mass loss, not evaporation.[ScienceDaily]
• Researchers say melting alone can remove as much as 40 percent of an original rock's mass, and fragmentation can start when air pressure reaches about one-fifth of recovered meteorites' measured strength.[ScienceDaily]

Key facts

• Researchers examined video recordings and photographs of 75 meteorite falls and identified seven stages describing how these objects transform into meteorites.[ScienceDaily]
• Lead author Peter Jenniskens of the SETI Institute and NASA Ames Research Center said melting and then fragmentation control how a rock loses mass, rather than evaporation.[ScienceDaily]
• Among the fastest rotating objects examined, a complete rotation took between 0.5 and 5 seconds.[ScienceDaily]
• According to the researchers, melting alone can ultimately remove as much as 40 percent of an original rock's mass.[ScienceDaily]
• The researchers found that rocks can start fragmenting when air pressure on their leading surfaces reaches about one-fifth of the strength measured in recovered meteorites.[ScienceDaily]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

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