(meteorobs) Definition of a meteor (was Re: Fifth grade sciencebook)

[GeoZay at aol.com]

>>1. Any  natural extraterrestrial object that has touched  the earth is 
considered a METEORITE<<


So, if one of the moon rocks brought back to earth by the apollo  astronauts 
is dropped...you'd call it a meteorite? :O)
 

>>2. Any natural object in free space that is smaller than an  asteroid is 
considered a METEOROID<<
 
Pretty much so.

>>The contention seems to be during the fall  to earth.
When during this atmospheric, ablative period, and post  luminescent 
/dark period  is it proper to use the generic terminology  and call it a 
METEOR?<<
 
During this dark period, there will be no ablation...it's too slow for  that. 
and to say that a meteor is post luminescent doesn't make any sense  either. 
Since a meteor is the light phenomenon itself...not the object. During  the 
objects dark phase, there's no longer a meteor present. 
 
GeoZay