[meteorite-list] getting oriented on orientation

[Darryl Pitt]

topic:  grading system for orientation

just trying to get things started off here.

i don't believe there should be 10-grades of orientation, as was  
suggested, as it seems too broad and results in a situation that is  
similar to the one before us:  the too-liberal invocation of the  
term.  might i suggest a scale of O1-O4 or perhaps to O5 at the most.

it would seem the determination of the extent of orientation should  
be based on the presence of a number of specific characteristics and  
the extent to which such characteristics are manifest.  i beseech the  
input of scientists who are expert in eliminating the ambiguities in  
such a grading system.

let's start with some characteristics of orientation that come to  
mind....

evidence of ablation
presence of flow lines/rivulets
flow lines radiating in all directions off a single coordinate
elongated parallel regmaglypts radiating off a single coordinate
distinctly different morphologies of the obverse and reverse
evidence of bubbling in the low-pressure zone (reverse)
parabolic curvature of lead face (including small parabolas at tip of  
oriented "bullets")
"lipped" edges and evidence of molten material having ablated over  
the edge of such lips


please add or subtract to the list.  maybe some characteristics  
should be weighted more than others and then there is the quandary of  
quantifying the extent of such characteristics.

i hope this helps to start things off.  and i hope we're able to get  
this resolved and get....oriented on orientation.

all best / d,