no. 16 meteor-orbits in the solar system — von niessl 2j 



Table 4 (Note i). 



.\vcrage altitude of 

 tlic terminal point 



1 16.8 km. 

 89.3 " 

 72.5 " 

 58.9 " 

 390 " 

 22.1 " 



All four of these collocations show a perfectly definite regular 

 connection between the geocentric velocity deduced from observa- 

 tions and the altitude of the stopping point since they diminish 

 together. 



It is natural to conclude that a meteor can penetrate into the 

 atmosphere deeper in proportion as it moves with a low velocity. That 

 this conclusion is correct is also enforced by the following facts : 



1. The more rapid Leonids are extinguished at greater altitudes 

 than the slow-moving Perseids as mentioned above. 



2. Under the assumption of equal heliocentric velocity, the meteors 

 that meet the earth in its direct course (from the apex) enter the 

 atmosphere with a relative velocity that is about 56 km. greater than 

 that of the meteors that enter the earth from the opposite side (or 

 the anti-apex) . If we arrange the meteors according to the distance 

 of the radiant from the apex of the earth, we find the following 

 results : 



1 . From the material in foot-note 2, page 26. 



Between o and 40 12 



" 40 " 70 12. 



" 70 " 90 12 



" 90 " no 10 



" no " i8o 10 



2. From the material in foot-note 3, page 26. 



Between o and 80 13 



9 

 10 

 II 



7 

 13 



7 



^4 arises from an analysis of in cases which I have worked up from 

 material in older literature. Since the notation of magnitude was formerly 

 less determinate, I can only say that these data likewise refer chiefly to large 

 meteors (22% detonating). 



