Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2005-06-24
Adv.SpaceRes.39:574-582,2007
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
submitted to Advances in Space Research
Scientific paper
10.1016/j.asr.2005.08.035
High altitude meteors become luminous at altitudes above $\sim$130 km, where the standard ablation theory of meteor light production is not applicable. The physical mechanism responsible for their glow has not been known. We present a model that explains their existence, morphology and lightcurves. The model is based on particles ejected from the meteoroid surface through the sputtering process. The kinetic energy of such a sputtered particle is typically more than 1,000 times larger than the energy of particles in the surrounding atmosphere. Thus the sputtered particle creates a cascade of collisions in the atmosphere during thermalization. We show analytically that this process is capable of producing enough light for detection. We also explain the observed relationship between the beginning height of high altitude meteors and their maximum brightness. In addition, meteors are modeled with a Monte Carlo code developed specifically for this phenomenon. Theoretical images reproduce the observed shapes and sizes of high altitude meteors. Their exact shape depends on the relative angle between the meteor path and observer's line of sight.
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