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Audible Fireballs and Geophysical Electrophonics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 April 2016

Colin S. L. Keay*
Affiliation:
Physics Department, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308

Abstract

The long-standing enigma of audible sound production simultaneous with the distant flight of large meteor fireballs is becoming increasingly well understood. Utilising Keay’s model linking the production of ELF/VLF electromagnetic radiation with turbulence in the fireball’s plasma trail, it has proved possible to adapt Ceplecha’s fireball model to include the criteria for turbulence and the consequent production of electrophonic sounds, yielding an excellent match with observations. It is becoming apparent that other geophysical phenomena also have the capacity to produce electrophonic sounds. These include aurorae, lightning and earthquakes.

Type
Solar and Solar System
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of Australia 1994

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