On the uncertainty factor in approximation of the heat transfer coefficient in the problem of modelling the interaction of meteor body with the atmosphere

Abstract

The problem of modelling the interaction of meteor body with the Earth’s atmosphere is considered. The motion, ablation, and energy deposition of the meteoroid and its fragments moving as a single body are modelled by numerically solving the meteor physics equations. For the heat transfer coefficient, which is a governing parameter in these equations, the proposed approximate expression is used, depending on the meteoroid velocity and size and the atmospheric density, as well as a constant value accepted in the literature. An uncertainty parameter is introduced into the formula for the heat transfer coefficient to make allowance for the existing uncertainty in the radiative heat flux computations in the meteoric range of flow parameters. The influence of uncertainty of the heat transfer coefficient on the meteoroid mass loss, velocity, trajectory, and energy deposition is evaluated.