Meteor astronomy: A mature science?

Abstract

In this article we attempt to trace the development of contemporary meteor science from C. 1830 to C. 1960. From its new beginnings in the early 1830's, the subject saw its most dramatic growth and development in those years surrounding the turn of the 19th century. While the period between C. 1910 to C. 1930 saw a decline in its greater interest, the period between C. 1920 to C. 1950 saw the science enter a stage of consolidation. Around the mid 1950's a stand-off between the theory of meteor ablation and observations arose forcing a re-evaluation of the meteoroid model. These recent developments in meteor studies would suggest that the science is mature in the sense described by Thomas Kuhn.