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

[John Kuehn]

Human intervention, I.e. modification or transportation, would preclude 
it from the aforementioned 'NATURAL' category.
A space turd is still a space turd  if brought back intact.  but, let it 
fall naturally, and only then it could be considered a meteor. 

If in daylight you were lucky enough to see a natural falling rock 
during the non ablative /dark period, I would still contend that is 
still is a meteor

Unless the definition of meteor expressly REQUIRES that the object be 
self exo- luminescent. Then I would have to ask at what wavelength and 
what level above ambient ..... The nits... and the nitwits, their 
everywhere.

I would imply that, it is the MOTION that is inferred by the term meteor 
and that it has an additional characteristic in that it MAY emit light 
during its meteoric fall to earth.

I would leave it to the experts/nit pickers to specify EXACTLY what 
point the  non captured, free flying, meteoroid's orbit   becomes 
entangled by the geo- gravitational field and commences it's Meteoric 
fall to earth, with all of the possible dark and light segments of that 
journey. Until it subsequently comes in contact with the ground, 
stopping the motion and changing it's status to the earth borne form 
named METEORITE.

If standing or lying on the earth and are struck by a non luminescent 
natural falling object, would you say you have been struck by a meteor, 
meteorite, or meteoroid  or just ouch?

IMHO

But then again.... maybe not.

GeoZay at aol.com wrote:

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>>>1. Any  natural extraterrestrial object that has touched  the earth is 
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>considered a METEORITE<<
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>So, if one of the moon rocks brought back to earth by the apollo  astronauts 
>is dropped...you'd call it a meteorite? :O)
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>>>2. Any natural object in free space that is smaller than an  asteroid is 
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>considered a METEOROID<<
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>Pretty much so.
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>>>The contention seems to be during the fall  to earth.
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>When during this atmospheric, ablative period, and post  luminescent 
>/dark period  is it proper to use the generic terminology  and call it a 
>METEOR?<<
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>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
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