(meteorobs) Difference between Bolides and Fireballs

[stange34 at sbcglobal.net]

It appears the best formal interpretation for Bolide is in the PAST TENSE, 
describing a surface scarring by an extraterrestrial object be it man-made, 
asteroid, or meteoroid.

This would leave open only two other events that would need a possible term 
change. They are:
a) Fireball fragmentation which does not appear to be a result of 
detonation/explosion.
b) Fireball fragmentation by detonation or explosive force.

As a result of an earlier conversation with Chris, I had previously removed 
all references to Bolide on my website.

YCSentinel


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Peterson" <clp at alumni.caltech.edu>
To: "Global Meteor Observing Forum" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
Sent: 2008/06/12 17:51
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Difference between Bolides and Fireballs


> The IAU has a formal definition for fireball, "a meteor brighter than
> any of the planets", which is generally interpreted to mean "an apparent
> magnitude brighter than -4". This can be found in the IAU Commission 22
> report.
>
> I believe the same report defines meteoroid as a body in space that is
> smaller than an asteroid.
>
> Both of these definitions are rather broad, but that's probably a good
> thing.
>
> I believe the IAU is considering a nomenclature change that would allow
> "meteor" to be used for both the visual phenomenon as well as the actual
> body that causes it, usually called a meteoroid even in the atmosphere.
> But I don't think that change has been adopted.
>
> Chris
>
> *****************************************
> Chris L Peterson
> Cloudbait Observatory
> http://www.cloudbait.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <meteoreye at comcast.net>
> To: "Global Meteor Observing Forum" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:32 PM
> Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Difference between Bolides and Fireballs
>
>
>>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
>
> _______________________________________________
> Mailing list meteorobs: meteorobs at meteorobs.org
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, email: owner-meteorobs at meteorobs.org
> http://lists.meteorobs.org/mailman/listinfo/meteorobs