Densities and porosities of meteoroids

Institute of Astrophysics, Tajik Academy of Sciences, Dushanbe 734042, Tajikistan e-mail: [P.B.Babadzhanov;Kokhirova2004]@mail.ru

Received: 25 June 2008
Accepted: 13 November 2008

Abstract

Using a physical theory of meteors and on the basis of the results of double-station photographic observations of meteors in Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Kiev, and Odessa (Ukraine), the mean mineralogical and bulk densities of meteoroids belonging to nine meteoroid streams and sporadic background are determined. The mean mineralogical densities  of meteoroids range from 2.2 g cm^-3 (Perseids) to 3.4 g cm^-3 (Quadrantids, δ-Aquarids, and α-Capricornids). The meteoroid bulk densities δ, which were determined according to the theory of quasi-continuous fragmentation of meteoroids in the Earth's atmosphere, vary from 0.4 g cm^-3 (Leonids) to 2.9 g cm^-3 (Geminids). Using the relation between bulk density and mineralogical density the porosity of meteoroids was estimated. The Geminid meteoroids are found to have the lowest porosity, while the Leonid and Draconid meteoroids have the most porous structure (83%). These results confirm the porous-structure nature of meteoroids' parent bodies i.e. comets and asteroids.