Aerothermoballistics of Crushing Meteoroids in the Earth’s Atmosphere

This research is devoted to the problem of environmental pollution. The study of various pathways that reduce emissions of fuel combustion products into the Earth's atmosphere is still applicable today.

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Physics and Technology of Sustainable Energy

10.1093/oso/9780198769804.001.0001 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

E. L. Wolf

Keyword(s):

Quantum Physics ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Sustainable Energy ◽

College Level ◽

Adequate Treatment ◽

Power Sources ◽

Earth’S Atmosphere ◽

Energy Technologies ◽

Electric Power Grid ◽

Earth's Atmosphere

This is a physics textbook describing, at a college level, the physics and technology needed to provide sustainable long-term energy, past the era of fossil fuels. A summary is given of global power generation and consumption, with estimates of times until conventional fuels will deplete. Sustainable power sources, largely those coming from the Sun directly or indirectly, are described. As sustainable energy must preserve the Earth’s atmosphere and climate, key elements of these topics are included. Key energy technologies in this book include photovoltaics, wind turbines and the electric power grid, for which the underlying physics is developed. Nuclear fusion is described in the context of the Sun’s energy generation, in a brief description of tokamak fusion reactors, and also to introduce ideas of quantum physics needed for adequate treatment of photovoltaic devices. Energy flow in and out of the Earth’s atmosphere is discussed, including the role of greenhouse gas impurities arising from fossil fuel burning as trapping heat and raising the Earth’s temperature. Discussion is included of the Earth’s climatic history and future. Exercises are included for each chapter.

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An Update on The Problem of Small Comets

Highlights of Astronomy ◽

10.1017/s1539299600020657 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 237-238

Author(s):

J.C. Brandt ◽

M.F. A’Hearn

Keyword(s):

Recent Work ◽

Terrestrial Planets ◽

Indirect Methods ◽

Earth’S Atmosphere ◽

Direct Observations ◽

Icy Bodies ◽

Earth's Atmosphere ◽

Search Program ◽

Volatile Materials

The evidence for a major population of small comets (SCs) is summarized in two steps. First, we briefly summarize our previous work. Second, we describe recent work that continues to find SCs. When new capabilities become available that can detect SCs, we expect to find them and this is occurring. At present, their detection is a haphazard process and we advocate a dedicated, optimized search program. We define SCs as those icy bodies (i.e., sublimating bodies) with radius less than 1000 meters. Often the existence of SCs is inferred from effects ascribed to them. These “effects” include: lunar cratering; cratering on Ganymede; excess interplanetary hydrogen; delivery of volatile materials to the terrestrial planets; and a source of fragile bodies entering the Earth’s atmosphere. While some of these indirect methods support the existence of SCs, direct observations are clearly preferred.

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