(meteorobs) Difference between Bolides and Fireballs

[Chris Peterson]

"Bolide" is an undefined term- or rather, it has multiple definitions. 
It is sometimes used to describe a fireball that explodes somewhere 
along its path, especially if sounds are produced. It is more commonly 
used to describe a crater forming body. The former is most often used by 
meteor watchers, the latter by geologists and those who study craters.

Personally, I never use the term at all. A bright fireball is simply a 
fireball, regardless of whether it appears to explode. "Bolide" is too 
uncertain in meaning, and too likely to cause confusion. IMO, the term 
is best avoided.

Even though "fireball" has an IAU definition, it is also somewhat vague, 
depending on whether the magnitude is given as apparent (this is the IAU 
definition), or as absolute. If you really want to be clear, always 
qualify "meteor" or "fireball" with the type of magnitude given, as well 
as characteristics such as fragmentation or sound.

Chris

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


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <veredh1 at zahav.net.il>
To: <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
Cc: <ralrt at aip.de>; <r.koschack at freenet.de>
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 3:34 PM
Subject: (meteorobs) Difference between Bolides and Fireballs


> Hello fellow meteor observers,
>
> Recently in our observatory we had a discussion concering the
> difference between a Fireball and a Bolide.
>
> As far as I know and read, a Fireball is a bright meteor,
> where the definition of bright is normally accepted as
> brighter than Venus. A Bolide is a Fireball which appears to
> explode at its end (sometimes with fragmentation and/or
> terminal flash).
>
> One person which is part of our discussion claims that for a
> meteor to be called a Bolide, it must make an explosion
> sound (as opposed to simply be seen as exploding, which is
> the more accurate definition in my opinion). I have never
> heard of this anywhere.
>
> My questions to you:
> 1. Is there any official definition for a Bolide?
> 2. If not, which definition is the most widely accepted? is
> it possible that there are different definitions in
> different languages/countries/books?
> 3. Basically, what I must understand is: what is the
> difference between a Bolide and a Fireball?
>
> It would be very good to figure out this thing once and for
> all...
>
> Thank you and take care,
> Shy