Accession Number:

AD0672043

Title:

ACCELERATOR OF PARTICLES FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF METEORIC DUST ON COSMIC ROCKETS.

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

GENERAL DYNAMICS/ASTRONAUTICS SAN DIEGO CALIF

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1960-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

5.0

Abstract:

A direct study of the physical properties and determination of the velocities of meteoric particles is possible only at great altitudes. In 1956, a new method was used to study impacts of micrometeorites. A polished cone of organic glass, which became luminescent under the effect of impacts and friction, and which was covered with a layer of aluminum of a thickness of 8 x 10 to the minus 6th power cm. was placed in an Aerobee rocket. Dust entering through an opening on the side of the rocket fell on the base of the cone base. A photomultiplier was placed on the upper end of the cone. It was assumed that the dust particles enter through the opening in the aluminum layer and produce a light flash. The high sensitivity of the instruments made it possible to observe flashes. It was proposed that a laboratory study be made with the aid of a small accelerator to determine the effect of the dust particles on the surface of the cosmic rockets. Author

Subject Categories:

  • Astronomy

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE