Title: The distribution of micrometeorites near the Earth
Abstract: Impacts of micrometeorites recorded by the artificial satellite Explorer I in February 1958 have been examined statistically to determine their distribution with latitude, altitude, and longitude relative to the satellite-earth-sun angle (satellite local time). The latitude distribution shows an interesting peak near the equator, which is, however, not statistically significant. The distribution in longitude relative to the satellite-earth-sun angle corresponds to an altitude distribution and apparently contains no information that is not better shown in this latter distribution. With suitable analysis, the altitude distribution yields information on the velocity of the particles relative to the center of the earth. The conclusion is that the average particle measured by Explorer I was in a closed orbit around the earth rather than on an impact trajectory from a great distance to the surface of the earth.
Publication Year: 1961
Publication Date: 1961-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 32
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