[meteorite-list] ANOTHER QUESTION

[MexicoDoug]

Hello Jeff,

"Negative magnitude" would be anything brighter than Vega: Normally a meteor 
on the order of magnitude of the 0 magnitude reference star Vega is great 
but I think still too dim in loose language to start being called a 
fireball.  Earth-centered as we are, I think fireball in common use has come 
to means at least as bright as Venus (-3.8 to -4.6) and thus brighter than 
anything except the Sun and Moon).  But, if it leaves a persistent train or 
has other interesting performances, I doubt anyone would say it couldn't be 
called a fireball because it was only as bright as Jupiter one of its 
brighter days (-2.8) :-)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Kuyken" <info at meteorites.com.au>
To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 2:24 AM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] ANOTHER QUESTION


> Hi Chris and all,
>
> I always thought 'fireball' was the technical term for a meteor with a
> negative magnitude. Is this correct?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jeff
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Chris Peterson
> To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 11:51 AM
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] ANOTHER QUESTION
>
>
> I never use the term "bolide" (and discourage its use) since it has no
> formal definition. Generally, it is used synonymously with fireball,
> often with the added distinction that fragmentation is visible. Whether
> you call them fireballs or bolides, however, it's likely that very few
> actually produce meteorites. And those that do start large, are
> traveling slowly, and enter at a shallow angle. The first two
> requirements pretty much eliminate cometary debris that causes meteor
> showers.
>
> Chris
>
> *****************************************
> Chris L Peterson
> Cloudbait Observatory
> http://www.cloudbait.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gerald Flaherty" <grf2 at verizon.net>
> To: "Chris Peterson" <clp at alumni.caltech.edu>;
> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2006 5:40 PM
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] ANOTHER QUESTION
>
>
>> "fireballs virtually never hit the ground."
>> Aren't bolides a fireballs too? And if so?
>> Jerry Flaherty
>
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