[meteorite-list] Related Meteorite Falls 11 years apart? Both Hammers! Both L6 Olivine-hypersthene

From: Meteorites USA <eric_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:51:38 -0800
Message-ID: <4B95392A.7060700_at_meteoritesusa.com>

Point taken... Guess I opened a can of worms on that one... ;)

I'm aware of the likelihood that two small meteorites so close to one
another being paired is small, but it just simply seemed too much of a
coincidence. Since so many scientists say I'm wrong I guess I have to go
with that right? Maybe... I'll just have to study more... ;)

Regardless of all that, it's a phenomenal set of events for two homes
only 1.4 miles from one another, to be smashed by two meteorites over a
decade apart. That's astronomical!!!

Thanks for the input Rob, as always it's appreciated!

Regards,
Eric



On 3/7/2010 11:26 PM, Rob Matson wrote:
> Hi Eric,
>
>
>> To answer your question:
>>
>
>> "...Let me counter your theory with one question: Why should a
>> meteorite stream have orbital characteristics that are synchronous
>> with earth's day, or more specifically earth's geography?..."
>>
>
>> It shouldn't and it doesn't have to have anything in common other
>> than be in the same place at the same time.
>>
> I guess my point is that if you're going to choose any two meteorite
> falls to be from the same parent body, you wouldn't pick Wethersfield.
> The odds are already astronomical against recovering two falls from
> the same precursor body; placing an additional constraint that those
> two falls have to be in the same country (let alone the same town)
> removes any chance of it happening in our lifetime.
>
>
>> There are countless variables to consider, it's not impossible...
>>
> Yes, not mathematically impossible. But so improbable that it's
> really not worth considering.
>
>
>> The second piece could have had an 11 year elliptical orbit which
>> placed it in that exact spot 11 years later... ;)
>>
> Since the two falls occurred 11 years 7 months apart, the only way
> they could be from the same coherent meteoroid stream would be if
> the stream's orbit happened to cross earth's at two locations. This
> is not unprecented (Halley's Comet is responsible for both the Eta
> Aquariids in May and the Orionids in October), but it's more likely
> for a stream to cross earth's orbit at only one point. In such a
> single nodal crossing case, paired falls from a coherent stream
> would have to be at the same time of year.
>
> Note that there is no requirement for the orbital period to be
> 11.58 years. It could be 5.79 years, or 3.86 years, or shorter.
> 11.58 years divided by the stream's period just has to be a whole
> number. And if the stream is large enough and old enough to be
> dispersed all along its orbit, then the orbital period can be
> anything. --Rob
>
>
Received on Mon 08 Mar 2010 12:51:38 PM PST