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Re: FW:Re: (meteorobs) METEORS VS FIREBALLS/BOLIDES
Hellow all
I did not mean to start such a debate over "bolides" and "fireballs."
However, here we are. In American astronomy we refer to "bolides" as those
objects which terminate in disintegration (not necessarilly explosive,
though that seems to be the accepted meaning). The English language
maintains a distinction between the two. It exists in a vague way in
French. There is no such distinction in Spanish, German, Russian, Hebrew,
Arabic and probably not in Swahili (a joke, OK?).
As far as I know there has never been a ruling from the IAU (honestly, I've
never investigated the issue) on the term and various "authorities" handle
the distinction in various ways. Personally, I have always treated the
term essentially as it is understood in English but with due attention paid
to the nebulous character of the word round the world.
My advice to you, Ron, is that if you see a bolide or a fireball that does
not seem to be moving, just getting brighter, jump in the fastest vehicle
you have at your disposal and head straight for it. The reason is that the
heaviest, largest pieces of ejecta will be traveling in the opposite
direction. The material that spreads out around an impact in a more
uniform manner is usually considerably smaller (no guarantee). Immediately
after the impact head for the nearest telephone and call me, then do
whatever you want.
J. Richard Jacobs
==================================================
At 05:53 PM 8/21/99 -0700, you wrote:
>After further investigation I think that the word bolide may have
>slightly different meanings depending upon the language. Where I've
>been unable to find the word bolide in my Oxford dictionary, it is in my
>LaRouse english / french dictionary where it translates to bolide, and
>meteor. The LaRouse french dictionary defines it first as a vehicle
>which passes at a very great speed, and it gives the word's Greek origin
>as being from the Greek for jet. Different languages may have varations
>on the meaning of the word. As this list is international in nature I
>think I'll come across a few other words that aren't universally
>defined.
>
> Myself, I've seen a couple of fireballs, but I have mixed feelings
>about being so close to something with so much kinetic energy passing so
>close that I could hear it. I'll be content with fireworks displays :-)
>
> Ron (in Gander) (no excitement in my life :-)
>
>
>
>Wayne T Hally wrote:
>>
>> From: "E. L. Jones" <jonee@epixdot net>
>>
>> (I think this bounced due to a funny word, don't worry about it)
>>
>> Hello,
>> All bolides are fireballs-- but not all fireballs are bolides.
>>
>> I have been fortunate enough to have seen two bolides in my life-- up close
>> and personal. I have seen many fireballs. I can attest that there is a
>> dynamic and awesome difference in a bolide and a fireball. I believe that
>> a bolide will always have an aural report (in addition to any sonic
>> shockwaves i.e sonic "booms"). whether or not the observer is close enough
>> for it to be heard. I subscribe to the distinction between them is as
>> follows:
>>
>> A Bolide ia a body which has a "rapid (explosive) expansion at or near the
>> end of incandescent flight"
>>
>> A Fireball is a body which ceases to shine either in burning up or
>> reaching dark flight (height of retardation) without the explosive
>> expansion.
>>
>
>
>--
>R & L Thompson, 9 Medcalf St., Gander, NF, Canada A1V 1R9
>Tel (709) 256-1179, Fax (709) 256-8638, e-mail rlthompson@thezonedot net
>
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>
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