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Re: (meteorobs) METEORS VS FIREBALLS/BOLIDES

J. Richard Jacobs wrote:
> 
 I was not going to
> comment on the subject; just sit back and hope someone would get it right
> and everything would be fine.


 bolides and/or
> fireballs (actually one in the same) 
> 
> Now, for everyone's edification:
> 
> A BOLIDE (FIREBALL) IS A METEOR AND IT DOES NOT HAVE TO EXPLODE
> (DISINTEGRATE VIOLENTLY) TO BE CLASSIFIED AS SUCH.

	Chapter and verse please. 

	Until the question was raised, this is what I thought too.  However the
only references I have found use the word explode to describe a bolide,
and the second reference said that a bolide may be called a detonating
fireball.  No disrespect intended, however I think the dictionary and
the D.W.R. McKinley's Meteor Science and Engineering book have done more
for my edification.

				Ron (in Gander)

> For information:  fireballs/bolides are created when the density and/or
> size of the meteoroid exceeds the normal low-density (usually less than
> water), highly friable particles providing us with what we refer to as
> meteors.  The entry velocities of the objects (velocity combines speed and
> direction) are no different, in the main, than any of the meteors we
> usually see.  Indeed, many of them come from the same radiants and at the
> same speed (interesting?).  The majority of the exceptionally bright
> (occasionally brighter than the sun) "burn-out", some explode (not many,
> and there are very good reasons for this), perhaps providing us with some
> meteoritic material of measurable size, and a few impact directly.  After
> impact I agree it should be reported elsewhere (especially to me!), if
> there is anyone left to receive the report.
> 
> J. Richard Jacobs
> 
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