[meteorite-list] Meteorites 101

From: Chris Peterson <clp_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2011 21:15:44 -0700
Message-ID: <7DF0133E06C244C1AB78325FBE96D810_at_bellatrix>

Note, however, that the IAU defines "fireball" but is silent about "bolide".
So if the context demands some precision, "bolide" is best avoided.

Chris

*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com


----- Original Message -----
From: "Sterling K. Webb" <sterling_k_webb at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Chris Peterson" <clp at alumni.caltech.edu>;
<Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 8:04 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Meteorites 101


> 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
Received on Sat 15 Jan 2011 11:15:44 PM PST