[meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March 26, 2008 /Ques

From: Bob Loeffler <bobl_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:48:30 -0600
Message-ID: <20080413184732.23EB11054B_at_mailwash5.pair.com>

Hi Doug,

This reply is extremely late, so I'm including most of the original e-mails
so everyone will remember what we were talking about.

My definition of a "hammer" is a meteorite that directly hits a person or
man-made object, but others' definitions may be different. No matter who or
what it hit, meteorites are still really cool. :-)

If it indirectly hit a person after directly hitting a tree, I don't
consider that a hammer. Maybe we can differentiate between the two, like
"direct hammer" and "indirect hammer" or "primary hammer" and "secondary
hammer"? Is there are real (accepted) definition of a hammer? Does it have
to do damage? Or can it gently roll up onto a doormat and come to rest? We
need a real definition! ;-)

The one that hit that lady was a hammer, but not because it hit her. It
crashed through her roof first. That made it a hammer. After that, it can
hit whatever it wants to, but that doesn't change the fact that it hit the
roof first.

Regards,

Bob


-----Original Message-----
From: mexicodoug at aim.com [mailto:mexicodoug at aim.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 3:38 AM
To: mlblood at cox.net; bobl at peaktopeak.com;
meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - March
26, 2008 /Ques

Michael B. wrote:

"If, as stated, even if it struck a tree first it landed on a "welcome"
mat of its own momentum, there is a strong argument for calling it a
hammer."

Hi Michael, Bob, Listees,

It's quite silly (but fun) too make up arbitrary definitions of what
consists of a 'hammer' and what doesn't. Meteorites will land where
they please and don't need to fit a contrived definition to be amazing.
  I wouldn't take this stuff so seriously to miss out on the irony of
the situation. Here's a rock from space delivered to the doorstep
neatly on the welcome mat, apparently under its own steam. That
sound's a whole lot better to me (and more reminiscent of Claxton - via
UPS, DHL, FedEx which incidentally is probably a more hip way to get
meteorites nowadays anyways) than one that lodged itself some roof not
to be found until roofing maintenance was done in the rainy season. If
it looks like it, feels like it, smells like it, and tastes like it -
it is it, whatever it is! (Don't quote me on this). Michael does
mention he appreciates this - no complaint there!

There is probably linear and rotational tree momentum summed into this
to change the direction of the stone, elastic collision or not. I
would take the approach of saying "before it came to rest". This is
the approach taken when claiming the Sylacauga meteorite hit a woman.
In fact, it penetrated the roof first, bounced around off a radio and
then came to rest on the sofa where it contacted her before it came to
a rest. We not say it didn't hit a woman because it hit the roof
first, etc. Just because it is a doormat, doesn't mean it don't get no
respect...

Also, I am curious why you brought up "a hammer stone" is like saying
"a car car"?

Best wishes and great health,
Doug


on 3/26/08 11:35 PM, Bob Loeffler at bobl at peaktopeak.com wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I disagree. If it hit a maple tree first and then landed on the
doormat, it
> cannot be considered a hammer. Maple trees are not man-made, even if
you
> plant it yourself. Sorry. ;-)
>
> But that was a great story anyway, Larry!
>
> Bob
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
> [mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] On Behalf Of
> mexicodoug at aim.com
> Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:24 AM
> To: Thetoprok at aol.com; meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day -
March
> 26,2008 / Ques
>
> Larry A. wrote:
> "Does a hammer stone this make?"
>
> Hello Larry, Bernd, Listees,
>
> Most definitely does IMO, but better than that, it sounds more like
the
> unique delivery the Courier service from the Heavens "left on the
front
> door", and whoever left it was nice enough to ring the celestial
> doorbell :-) What a sweet sound to which one lucky soul was
> awakened... Next thing we're hoping for: a piece will be recovered at
> a ball game by being caught in a mit. That is one fly ball the ump
can
> shout .... "And he's SAFE at home!",
>
> Best Huntin'
> Mexico "Flow lines don't [normally] cross" Doug
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Thetoprok at aol.com
> To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Sent: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:00 am
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day -
> March 26, 2008 / Ques
>
>
>
> List,
>
> Quick question, Does a hammer stone this make?
>
> "When he looked down he saw this meteorite setting on his door mat!"
>
> Thanks,
> larry
Received on Sun 13 Apr 2008 02:48:30 PM PDT