Modelling the fragmentation of meteoroids using Poisson statistics and application to the Leonids 2001

We have developed a fragmentation model of a meteoroid's entry into the Earth's atmosphere using Poisson statistics in the fragmentation process. This allows to model the behaviour of the fragmentation with one number only, the Poisson number. We use the model to generate artificial light curves for meteors and compare them with observed Leonid light curves. We find that light curves indicating high particle strength occur preferred for bright meteors (> -2 mag). This could be an indication on the material properties on the surface of the comet from where the particles come: Particles of low strength may fragment already during the ejection from the comets surface, whereas large particles could only be ejected from areas with higher strength. This model does not require the assumption of a sodium "glue" to keep the individual particles of an agglomerate together.