Electromagnetic Phenomena Accompanying the Passage of an Iron Meteorite Through the Earth’s Atmosphere

Abstract

Based on observational facts, the author proposes a model for the formation of an electric charge in iron meteorites in the lower layers of the atmosphere through photoelectron emission when exposed to high-temperature plasma radiation on its surface. It is shown that at high Mach numbers, the explosive destruction of an iron meteorite can be caused not only by inertial, but also by electrostatic forces. The sub sequent charging of the fragments greatly increases their total charge, and the movement with acceleration causes electromagnetic radiation in the low frequency range. The electrostatic and electromagnetic fields accompanying the movement of meteoroids in the atmosphere can be the cause of the observed effects on the Earth’s surface, i.e., radio interference, electric shock to a person, and St. Elmo’s fire, among others.