(meteorobs) Difference between Bolides and Fireballs -OT

[Shy Halatzi]

From all I read so far, here and elsewhere, and considering that we
use the word as astronomers rather than geologists, it seems to me
that the most widely-accepted definition is:

"A fireball which visually appears to explode/fragment."

Since there is no official definition anywhere yet, I take this to be
my personal "official" definition of a Bolide, until the IAU or IMO
will publish an official one.

I will also take Jan's comments about the language aspect in mind, and
when I have some time, search through our periodicals historical
archive for old (from the 50s, 60s) Hebrew terms used by the Israeli
meteor observers. Perhaps I will be surprised and find some word there
which was lost over the years (some words "die" and can be revived).
I also think it would be good if people from other countries
(European, Asian etc.) would say something about the terminology in
their languages and about their opinion on the Bolides/Fireballs issue
in general. Contribute to the discussion...

Take care,
Shy



2008/6/13, meteoreye at comcast.net <meteoreye at comcast.net>:
>
> >From the USGS:
>
> "
> What is a bolide? There is no consensus on its definition, but we use it to mean an extraterrestrial body in the 1-10-km size range, which impacts the earth at velocities of literally faster than a speeding bullet (20-70 km/sec = Mach 75), explodes upon impact, and creates a large crater. "Bolide" is a generic term, used to imply that we do not know the precise nature of the impacting body . . . whether it is a rocky or metallic asteroid, or an icy comet, for example.
> "
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-- 
שי חלצי Shy Halatzi
חבר ועד האגודה הישראלית לאסטרונומיה
Israeli Astronomical Association Board Member
054-4872884 (from overseas: +972-54-4872884)
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1st Hadror St. 16th Apt. Kiryat Ono 55600 Israel