(meteorobs) Difference between Bolides and Fireballs

[meteoreye at comcast.net]

I don't believe there is any official IAU definition for Bolide, Fireball, or even Meteoroid.

If you can show me otherwise, I'd appreciate it. I've been looking for years.

All definitions I've found are not official or even closely defined, so by definition, are not definitions! :)

Wayne

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Chris Peterson" <clp at alumni.caltech.edu> 

> "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: 
> To: 
> Cc: ; 
> 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 
> 
> _______________________________________________ 
> Mailing list meteorobs: meteorobs at meteorobs.org 
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, email: owner-meteorobs at meteorobs.org 
> http://lists.meteorobs.org/mailman/listinfo/meteorobs