(meteorobs) Long path meteor -spiraling- *Magnified*

[Chris Peterson]

A meteorite usually assumes its final shape in the last fraction of a 
second of ablation. The final volume of the meteorite or meteorites 
represents typically just a few percent of the volume of the parent 
meteoroid. When you consider the complexities of ablation (as hinted at 
by the light curve of a meteor, lasting a second or longer), and the 
fact that most meteorites occur after some sort of breakup, I do think 
it is fair to say that meteorites provide very little information about 
the flight characteristics of the parent itself.

That's not to say you can't infer anything, or that there aren't special 
cases (such as some irons). But I think it's a pretty safe generalization.

Chris

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

On 12/6/2011 6:29 AM, Jim Wooddell wrote:
> Hi Chris and all,
>
> I believe science has already look at this.  If I may refer to the late Dr.
> Norton's books, he does write about all of this.
> I can only share what I my research reveals, thus the reason I asked if
> there was reference (scientific documentation, research, etc) that suggested
> they don't tumble.
> I believe the ablation characteristics of meteorites absolutely is evidence
> of a type of flight, at least when it was incandescent.  However, this does
> not account necessarily account for large single mass falls.  Still there is
> evidence with large meteoroids( astoroids) , such as Hoba, where it's pretty
> reasonable to suggest a type of flight.
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Jim
>