[meteorite-list] getting oriented on orientation

From: Mike Bandli <fuzzfoot_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:17:01 +0000
Message-ID: <030520081717.1294.47CED58D0006A4B60000050E22058844849B01010096969A00_at_comcast.net>

Great suggestions, Darryl. I would go even a little less complicated and suggest a 3 number rating system. Here are some quick, nut-shell definitions:

O3 - Completely oriented: Obvious and conclusive evidence that the meteorite stabilized during entire flight.

O2 - Partially Oriented: Evidence that the meteorite stabilized during most of flight, but also tumbled of axis.

O1 - Some Orientation: Evidence that the meteorite stabilized briefly at one or several different points during flight, but tumbled majority of flight.

No Orientation - If no orientation is present, then there is probably no need to mention it in description.

Other considerations: Where does 'dual orientation' fit in? I have had numerous Sikhotes that have had 'bullets' or 'buttons' on both ends - evidence that the they flopped like a pancake and partially stabilized on both opposing edges.

Keep the suggestions coming.

Best,

Mike Bandli
www.Astro-Artifacts.com

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Darryl Pitt <darryl at dof3.com>
>
> topic: grading system for orientation
>
> just trying to get things started off here.
>
> i don't believe there should be 10-grades of orientation, as was
> suggested, as it seems too broad and results in a situation that is
> similar to the one before us: the too-liberal invocation of the
> term. might i suggest a scale of O1-O4 or perhaps to O5 at the most.
>
> it would seem the determination of the extent of orientation should
> be based on the presence of a number of specific characteristics and
> the extent to which such characteristics are manifest. i beseech the
> input of scientists who are expert in eliminating the ambiguities in
> such a grading system.
>
> let's start with some characteristics of orientation that come to
> mind....
>
> evidence of ablation
> presence of flow lines/rivulets
> flow lines radiating in all directions off a single coordinate
> elongated parallel regmaglypts radiating off a single coordinate
> distinctly different morphologies of the obverse and reverse
> evidence of bubbling in the low-pressure zone (reverse)
> parabolic curvature of lead face (including small parabolas at tip of
> oriented "bullets")
> "lipped" edges and evidence of molten material having ablated over
> the edge of such lips
>
>
> please add or subtract to the list. maybe some characteristics
> should be weighted more than others and then there is the quandary of
> quantifying the extent of such characteristics.
>
> i hope this helps to start things off. and i hope we're able to get
> this resolved and get....oriented on orientation.
>
> all best / d,
>
> ______________________________________________
> http://www.meteoritecentral.com
> Meteorite-list mailing list
> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Received on Wed 05 Mar 2008 12:17:01 PM PST