view Abstract Citations (19) References (15) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Measurements of the Ionization Probability of CU and LaB^{6} Simulated Micrometeors Friichtenicht, J. F. ; Becker, D. G. Abstract The ionization probability , related to the radiometeor ionizing efficiency r6 by the relation r6 = (2 / v3)p, where , , and V are respectively the ionization energy, mass, and velocity of the meteor atom being ionized, has been measured as a function of velocity V0 for simulated micrometeoroids composed of copper and lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) interacting with an air target gas under conditions of free molecule flow. The range of the experiment was 16 < V0 < 38 km for Cu, selected for comparison with results previously published for Fe at 20-45 km and 20 < V0 < 112 km for LaB6, chosen for its ability to be accelerated to ultrahigh velocities. It was found that p(Cu) = 2.17 X 10- V 24 (vs in cm sec ') and p(LaB6) = 6.31 X 10-il vo over the respective velocity ranges. It was also found that /3(LaB6) > 1 for Vo > 40 km at 112 km sec ', (LaB6) 50. This result implies the existence of appreciable atmospheric ionization. The possibility that heavy, high-velocity meteor atoms or molecules may produce significant ionization of the atmosphere and may have /3 > 1 is not generally considered in current meteor theory, which may therefore be in need of modification. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: June 1971 DOI: 10.1086/150995 Bibcode: 1971ApJ...166..717F full text sources ADS |