[meteorite-list] Question on oriented SA shrapnel

[E. L. Jones]

I've been around this so long ,it never occured to to think this was the 
result of ground impact, but I understand how it would look that way. 
When one thinks about it, All or the  SAwe find was shrapnel-form at the 
beginning of breakup. Fragments which separated earlier had longer 
opportunity to round off and regmaglypt.  So far as I understand the 
physics,  shearing stress which exceeds the cohesiveness of the 
meteoroid body can begin high up(15miles?) where the density of the 
atmosphere presents enough resistance and reaches maximum around 5 miles 
above sea level.  I think the artwork suggests a massive main body 
disruption high up , which would have yielded a swarm.  Seems there were 
perhaps a few subsequent bursts down the smoke stream.  We might want to 
look at the SA Postage Stamp again.

When you see shrapnel which is ripped and torn and remember this is iron 
we are talking about,  this only gives a glimpse of what terrific energy 
absorbing potential the atmosphere has.  Quiet Awe inspiring!

Elton

Göran Axelsson wrote:

> My question is if there are shrapnel pieces created in flight?