Symposium: Small meteoric particles in the earth's neighborhood: Studies of micrometeorites obtained from a recoverable sounding rocket

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (50) References Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Symposium: Small meteoric particles in the earth's neighborhood: Studies of micrometeorites obtained from a recoverable sounding rocket Hemenway, C. L. ; Soberman, R. K. Abstract The "Venus Flytrap" micrometeorite collector rocket was fired from White Sands, New Mexico on 6 June 1961 at 05:31 a.m. local time. Specially prepared particle impactors were exposed between the altitudes of 88 and 168 km and successfully recovered. The experimental surfaces consisted of 0.24 m2 of 6-p-thick Mylar foil for impact and cratering studies and 0.13 m2 of sealed boxes which were loaded with high-purity materials and surfaces suitable for electron microscopy. Some of these materials were shadowed with alu- minum before and after the flight to aid in the discrimination of micrometeorite particles from contami- nants. Typical particles and size distributions are shown. Approximately 7 particles/mm2 were collected during the ffight. Most of the particles were submicron in size and generally fell into three types: high-density spheres, medium-density irregular particles, and extremely irregular medium density particles (fluffy parti- cles). Some of the larger particles had sufficient momentum to rupture exposed films. Laboratory and nose-cone control surfaces were carefully studied to permit identification of micrometeorite particles. Pre- liminary results of chemical composition studies using electron-diffraction, electron-beam probe, and neutron-activation techniques are presented. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: June 1962 DOI: 10.1086/108705 Bibcode: 1962AJ.....67..256H full text sources ADS |