Abstract:
The procedure is described of the calculation of the optical properties of vapors of matter of cosmic bodies invading the Earth atmosphere. The calculations are performed for a mixture of 16 elements, namely, $\mathrm{Fe}$–$\mathrm{O}$–$\mathrm{Mg}$–$\mathrm{Si}$–$\mathrm{C}$–$\mathrm{N}$–$\mathrm{H}$–$\mathrm{S}$–$\mathrm{Al}$–$\mathrm{Ca}$–$\mathrm{Na}$–$\mathrm{K}$–$\mathrm{Ti}$–$\mathrm{Cr}$–$\mathrm{Mn}$–$\mathrm{Ni}$, for bodies of different chemical compositions such as $\mathrm{H}$-, $\mathrm{LL}$- and $\mathrm{C}$-chondrites, comet matter, and ice in the temperature range from $3$ to $40$ kK. Examples of calculations are given. The results make it possible to demonstrate that, in the case of large meteoroids ($10$ m and more) moving at velocities of $15$–$20$ km/s and higher, the effect of screening of their surface by the emerging vapor layer at altitudes of $30$ km and lower is significant. This considerably reduces the ablation by thermal radiation and promotes deeper penetration of cosmic bodies into the atmosphere.