[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Re: (meteorobs) Re; Meteor shower/meteorite shower.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Wayne T Hally" <meteors@eclipse.net>
Subject: RE: (meteorobs) Re; Meteor shower/meteorite shower.
> Actually, they are not travelling in swarms is space, at least I know of
no
> verified cases. A meteorite shower (if such a term really exists) produced
> when a meteoroid (bolide) shatters or explodes in the atmosphere and
> creates a "strewn field" of the resultant pieces. I recall it being used
in
> "Rocks from Space", O Richard Norton, but could not find it in the
> glossary, and don't really have time to reread the book again. Does anyone
> know if it a true technical term?
>
Wayne:
I asked Dr. Robert L. Hawkes, Secretary of IAU Commission 22 Meteors
about the use of the term, "meteorite shower". He stated as far as he was
concerned, this is an acceptable term to use. He stated that it is
unfortunate that there is confusion with the term , "meteor shower".
You are correct in stating that these so called "meteorite showers" are
the result of a meteoroid shattering or exploding in the upper atmosphere.
I guess you can call this a shower if multiple falls occur over a wide area
or strewn field. I commented that one should not discount the possibility
of a multiple atmospheric entry as we witnessed an event such as this over
Jupiter with Shoemaker/Levy 9. There is no evidence that this occurred on
the earth. I pointed out a report from the past by C.A. Chant of a
procession of fireballs across the Prairies heading east. There is a lot of
controversy about this event and since it was so long ago observational
evidence is scant. Too bad modern instrumental techniques did not record
this event.
Ed Majden
Sandia Bolide Detection Station - Courtenay, B.C. CANADA
The archive and Web site for our list is at http://www.meteorobs.org
To stop getting all email from the 'meteorobs' lists, use our Webform:
http://www.meteorobs.org/subscribe.html
Follow-Ups:
References: