Ablation

Gradual removal of the successive surface layers of a material through various processes.

1. The gradual removal and loss of meteoritic material by heating and vaporization as the meteoroidSmall rocky or metallic object in orbit around the Sun (or another star). experiences frictional melting during its passage through the atmosphere. The resulting plasmaFourth state of matter: a gas in which many or most of the atoms are ionized. In the plasma state the atoms have split into positive ions and negative electrons, which can flow freely, so the gas becomes electrically conducting and a current can flow. Click on Term to Read More ablates the meteorHow long Sonic booms Of the several 10s of tons of cosmic material entering Earth's atmosphere each day, only about one ton reaches the surface. An object's chance of survival depends on its initial mass, speed and angle of entry, and friability (tendency to break up). Micrometeoroids radiate heat so Click on Term to Read More and, in cases where a meteor achieves stable flight, the meteoriteWork in progress. A solid natural object reaching a planet’s surface from interplanetary space. Solid portion of a meteoroid that survives its fall to Earth, or some other body. Meteorites are classified as stony meteorites, iron meteorites, and stony-iron meteorites. These groups are further divided according to their mineralogy and Click on Term to Read More may develop regmaglypts, roll-over lipping, and other features associated with oriented flight. The particles released during ablation will ionize the surrounding atmospheric molecules, which later de-excite to produce the glowing trails commonly associated with this type of object.
2. Terrestrial ablation processes include reductionOxidation and reduction together are called redox (reduction and oxidation) and generally characterized by the transfer of electrons between chemical species, like molecules, atoms or ions, where one species undergoes oxidation, a loss of electrons,  while another species undergoes reduction, a gain of electrons. This transfer of electrons between reactants Click on Term to Read More of a glacier by surface melting/sublimation and rock weathering by hydraulic or aeolian (wind) erosionRemoval of weathered rocks by moving water, wind, or ice. Click on Term to Read More. Ventifacts are beautiful examples of rocks ablated by sand and wind creating aerodynamic shapes reminiscent of some oriented meteorites.