[meteorite-list] Meteorites 101

From: Sterling K. Webb <sterling_k_webb_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2011 21:04:09 -0600
Message-ID: <492270FD0A6E4EC0A1FDCA2900C79278_at_ATARIENGINE2>

Bolidc:

The term was first used, in the French language, in 1834.
The French is derived from classical Latin bolis (generally bolidis),
fiery meteor, originally from the classical Greek, ?????, missile,
arrow,
or flash of lightning, akin to ballein, to throw.

Definition: a brilliant meteor with a magnitude exceeding -4,
especially one that explodes; a very bright fireball. Most dictionary
definitions mention explosion or fragmentation.


Sterling K. Webb
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Peterson" <clp at alumni.caltech.edu>
To: <Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 6:51 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Meteorites 101


> Most researchers I know consider the body to be a meteoroid while it
> is in its meteor phase. The term "meteoroid" is used to specifically
> identify the body, and distinguish it from the meteor effect.
>
> It is also common, and IMO correct, to talk of a meteorite before it
> hits the ground. Once the meteor phase has ended, surviving material
> will become meteorites, and may quite acceptably be called such (as in
> discussing "the dark flight phase of a meteorite").
>
> Chris
>
> *****************************************
> Chris L Peterson
> Cloudbait Observatory
> http://www.cloudbait.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Walter Branch" <waltbranch at bellsouth.net>
> To: <Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 4:13 PM
> Subject: [meteorite-list] Meteorites 101
>
>
>> Hello Everyone,
>>
>> The term "meteor" refers to the light phenomenon as an object from
>> space enters the Earth's atmosphere. What is the proper term for the
>> object itself?
>>
>> A meteoroid is an object in space. Is it still called a meteoroid
>> when it enters the Earth's atmosphere?
>>
>> -Walter
>
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Received on Sat 15 Jan 2011 10:04:09 PM PST