(meteorobs) Definition of a meteor (was Re: Fifth gradesciencebook)

[Swift, Wesley]

	I tend to agree, however, this is an argument more about how many
angels can dance on the head of a pin than about 5th grade education.
Science and math education in this country (USA) is a disaster.  Religious
zealots are claiming any science since the old testament is blasphemy and
must be removed from textbooks ... and these zealots claim to be christians.
Hey, Christ came to break those bonds, resulting, ultimately, in the
renaissance and modern western science.  Exploring at God's wonderful
universe cannot be blasphemy!

	Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of
their country and show kids the beauties of the world.  For astronomers,
this means the beauties, mysteries and stories of the night sky, including
meteors.   Science IS exploring and the old stories show how ideas change
with each deeper look.

	Show a kid the night sky and, perhaps, a really nice meteor will
drop by.

Wes

============================================
        Wesley R. Swift, Jr
     Raytheon ITSS / Sverdrup MSFC Group
     Marshall Space Flight Center
     EV13, Bldg 4487, room C-151a
     Huntsville, Al 35812
     (256) 544-1392 Fax 544-0242
 
       Home:
      704 Dellwood Rd.
      Huntsville, Al 35802
      wesley.swift at comcast.net
        (256) 881-4438
===========================================


-----Original Message-----
From: meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org
[mailto:meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org] On Behalf Of GeoZay at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 5:41 PM
To: meteorobs at meteorobs.org
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Definition of a meteor (was Re: Fifth
gradesciencebook)

 

>>Well...in my interpretation, I still call it a  meteoroid...<<
 
Part of the definition of a meteoroid is that it's in outer space in a
solar orbit of it's own. Once a meteoroid finish producing  the
incandescent light that we call a meteor, it is too slow to be in solar
orbit on  it's own. It's then under total influence of the earth. 
 
>>When a meteoroid enters the atmosphere, it becomes a luminous, and
sometimes audible occurence called meteor. It can hit the ground as a
meteorite or a micrometeorite. <<
 
It can by definition become a meteorite...after it hits the ground. Before
hitting the ground though, the object is no longer a meteoroid.
 
>>But while it travels in the air, in my
opinion it should be  called meteoroid.<<
 
You can call it a meteoroid, but at this point it doesn't fit the
definition. 
 
>> Its the object that originates
the meteor phenomena, or  can originate a meteorite<<
 
But after the light phase, the object will no longer be able to produce
another meteor phenomena, but it can a meteorite. I personally think that
any object that survives the light phase and is still falling to the ground,
it's also a meteorite. 
George Zay



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