[meteorite-list] FAQ page

From: ari machiz <a_machiz_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:41:09 2004
Message-ID: <20010212030926.746.qmail_at_web4003.mail.yahoo.com>

Dave F. and list,

Entries to the FAQ page have slowed. I have taken it
upon myself to save and edit answers to two questions
posted on the list, in part because I have had the
time to do so, and in part because a good answer is a
terrible thing to waste.

Writing the FAQ page, I become intimate with the
answers which is a good thing. That is one of the
reasons I am so happy to have the responsibility of
this project, but saving and editing both the question
and the answers that follow has proven a task, so I am
going to mention a couple things.

I would like to keep the editing to a minimum and
focus on the HTML. I wrote a 40 page paper on English,
(dbl spcaed). I don't mean to say I am a grammarian,
but I will edit work that comes my way. The problem
with this lies in the fact that I have never written a
paper on meteorites and I won't feel comfortable
chopping up your work.

As I will accept answers now, I ask that you not mix
questions and answers when submitting for the FAQ
page, though you can certainly write with multiple
questions or answers on one e-mail.

The following is a question and a series of answers
that I pulled off of the web. I have done a great deal
of editing, so don't form any opinions on anyones
writing based on this version.




Q. Is it true that meteorites are cold when they hit
the earth? How could this be?
   The exterior skin of supersonic aircraft becomes so
hot during flight that people are unable to
          touch them when they land. They actually have to
sit and cool down before the pilots can exit
   them.


Brad Sampson

_____________


From: "Walter Branch"

A. The surface of meteorites ablate, thus taking the
majority of heat away
    from the falling meteor.

    The suface of airplane wings do not ablate, thus
the wings retain heat.


Walter Branch, Ph.D.

_____________


A. Before meteorites get pulled to earth, they have
been travelling around the sun for millions or
    even billions of years at near absolute zero. The
short passage through out atmosphere only
    heats the exterior. They have been found right
after the fall, with frost on them.

Roman Jirasek


A. In outer space, the temperature is <about> 250
below zero and that entry into the atmosphere is
    so fast that the ablation process ( see Rocks from
Space, page 49 quote..."and the ablated
    material carries away the accumulating surface
heat..." ) takes away the hot out side as fast
    or faster than the heat from entry can enter the
inside of the extrememly cold
    rock and thus they fall "cold".

Dave F.




A metal poor chondrite stone is generally only heated
to a depth of a few mm, and can still
be plenty cold in their interiors when they land. Ice
crystals can sometimes quickly form on their surfaces.

Darryl




As we have seen, a concise answer is sometimes all
that is needed. A more detailed and colorful
explanation can paint a picture and drive the point
home. To a newbie, both are important. This is one of
the things I have to consider; regardless, I am taking
answers at this time and will deal with other issues
at that time.

I would like to add one more thing. I believe your
credentials are an important addition. "Walter Branch,
Ph.D." says something. Quoting sources and listing
page numbers does the same thing. I don't have a
degree, so I have to quote reputable sources in my
writing. Anyway, you get the idea. I have to go write
some HTML. Y'all get your pens out and start writing
me! :-)

Oh yea, thanks to all of you who have lent any energy
to the cause.
Ari

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Received on Sun 11 Feb 2001 10:09:26 PM PST