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Re: When Does a Meteorite become a Meteorite?
Geo,
Until a solit object touches earth, that solid object is a meteoroid. A
meteor, of course, is the light phenomenon produced by a meteoroid
passing through earth's atmosphere at ultra high spead. When, and only
when it hits the ground, does a meteoroid become a meteorite. (at least
according to ALL the liturature with which I am familiar)
Best wishes, Michael
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GeoZay@aol.com wrote:
>
> During some of the recent long discussions, I've found my tongue getting a
> little twisted when I tried to describe the object that is left when the
> point of extinction has been reached. I've alternated between using "object"
> and "meteoroid" and on occasions probably just "thing". It has occurred to me
> to now ask the question, "Just when does a meteorite become a meteorite" ?
> I've always unconsiously thought that a meteorite becomes so as soon as it
> hits the ground. But what do you have after visible light extinction that is
> different from what will hit the ground a few minutes later? Is it proper to
> refer to it as a meteorite prior to hitting the ground? I would think so?
> But haven't heard anyone suggesting this? It's no longer a meteor (the
> visible light phenomenon). And I think of a meteoroid as that object in space
> that has yet to enter the earth's atmosphere and become a meteor. Anyone
> have any thoughts about when does a meteorite become a meteorite?
> geozay
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