Atmospheric energy deposition modeling and inference for varied meteoroid structures

• DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2018.06.014
• Publication Date: 2018-06-28T14:55:10Z
• Authors: Lorien F. Wheeler; Donovan L. Mathias; Edward Stokan; Peter G. Brown
• Keywords: Rubble; Fragmentation; Near-Earth object

Asteroids populations are highly diverse, ranging from coherent monoliths to loosely bound rubble piles, with a broad range of material and compositional properties. These different structures properties could significantly affect how an asteroid breaks up deposits energy in the atmosphere, much ground damage may occur resulting blast waves. We have previously developed fragment-cloud model (FCM) for assessing atmospheric breakup deposition asteroids striking Earth. The approach represents ranges characteristics by combining progressive fragmentation releases variable fractions debris larger discrete fragments. In this work, we extended FCM also represent varied initial structures, such as piles or fractured bodies. used Chelyabinsk, Benešov, Košice, Tagish Lake meteors, obtained excellent matches profiles derived their light curves. provide validation approach, help guide further refinements, enable inferences about pre-entry structure behavior. Results highlight differences amount small vs. fragments matching various flare each meteor. Chelyabinsk flares were best represented using relatively high fractions, while Košice Benešov cases more notably driven characteristics, perhaps indicating cohesive structures. exhibited combination these lower-debris at altitudes followed sudden disintegration into lower flares. all suggest that ablation coefficients spread rates be appropriate way which clouds FCM, offering avenue future refinement.