Detection and effects of meteoric smoke particles in the atmosphere

Abstract

These are the lecture notes of a trial lecture on the given topic "The detection and effects of meteoric debris in the atmosphere and why we should care". I have shortened the title a little, while I have expanded on the contents. First, I discuss some of the relevant nomenclature. Then, I go through the composition, size, formation and abundance of meteoric smoke particles. I describe some effects that meteoric smoke particles have - or are thought to have - on the mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere, and even the Earth's surface. The major part of this lecture is about the measurements of meteoric smoke particles by instruments on sounding rockets. I rather briefly mention results from satellite and radar observations.