The physics and astronomy of meteors, comets and meteorites

35-mm cameras Andromedids antenna aphelion approximately asteroids astronomers atmos atoms average bright meteor brighter cent chondrites collision coma Comet Biela cometary crater crystal deceleration density diameter drag equation dust Earth echo electrons Encke energy Equation estimate faint field of view film fireball fragments Fresnel pattern Geminids Giacobinids Halley's Comet height hexahedrites hourly rate hr_1 interstellar ionization ionosphere iron meteorites Jupiter km sec-1 Leonid light curve long-period comets mass material maximum light measured meteor particles meteor storm meteor streams meteor trail meteoroid micrometeorite moving nickel-iron nucleus number of meteors object Observatory Oort's Cloud original perihelion period Perseids perturbation photographic planet probably produced pulse radar radiant point radio seen semimajor axis short-period comets shower solar system solid space sphere sporadic meteors stars Super-Schmidt cameras surface swarm taenite tail Taurid tektites telescope theory upper atmosphere vapor velocity visual magnitude visual observer visual rate