Analytical Solution of Equations of the Physical Theory of Meteors for a Non-Fragmenting Body with Ablation in a Non-Isothermal Atmosphere

Abstract

Analytical solutions of equations of the physical theory of meteors for a non-fragmenting meteoroid in a non-isothermal atmosphere are derived. The ablation parameter is defined as a power-law function of velocity of trajectory motion. An expression relating the meteoroid mass and its velocity and an expression relating the meteoroid velocity, its initial parameters, and atmospheric pressure are obtained. In addition, simple approximate formulas for the meteoroid mass and velocity at the initial trajectory segment and relations for determining the extreme values of the main dynamic characteristics of the meteoroid (deceleration, dynamic pressure, ablation rate, mid-section area, and kinetic energy per unit path) are also derived.