Leonid Electrophonic Bursters

Abstract

We investigate the conditions under which Leonid meteoroids might generate short duration (burster) electrophonic sounds. A `first order' theory is employed to estimate the approximate electron number density in the meteoroid ablation column as a function of time. Using the threshold conditions discussed in an earlier communication (Beech and Foschini 1999) we find that Leonid meteoroids more massive than about 0.1 kg can potentially generate short duration electrophonic bursters.