Meteoroids as a Source of Aerosol in the Upper Atmosphere

The problem of aerosol formation in the Earths upper atmosphere is considered. Meteoroids with masses of 10(-18)-10(-8) g are taken as a source of their origin. Based on the classical equations of deceleration and heating of small meteor bodies, we determine maximal temperatures of particles and heights at which they reach the critically small velocity, the so-called stop height. The condition under which a cosmic particle does not reach its melting temperature is taken as the condition of its transformation to aerosol. Based on the cumulative distribution by masses of the interstellar dust inflow to the Earth and results of radiolocation observations on meteors, a three-dimensional density distribution of the quantity of such particles by critical (for reaching the melting temperature) parameters, namely, by the initial mass, velocity, and angle of entry into the atmosphere, was constructed. It is shown that stone particles with initial masses less than similar to 1.7 x 10(14) g become aerosols regardless of other parameters. Transforming this distribution in correspondence with the equations of meteor physics, the two-dimensional distribution by mass and formation height is obtained for aerosols of cosmic origin.