[meteorite-list] getting oriented on orientation

[Mike Bandli]

Great suggestions, Darryl. I would go even a little less complicated and suggest a 3 number rating system. Here are some quick, nut-shell definitions:

O3 - Completely oriented: Obvious and conclusive evidence that the meteorite stabilized during entire flight.

O2 - Partially Oriented: Evidence that the meteorite stabilized during most of flight, but also tumbled of axis.

O1 - Some Orientation: Evidence that the meteorite stabilized briefly at one or several different points during flight, but tumbled majority of flight.

No Orientation - If no orientation is present, then there is probably no need to mention it in description.

Other considerations: Where does 'dual orientation' fit in? I have had numerous Sikhotes that have had 'bullets' or 'buttons' on both ends - evidence that the they flopped like a pancake and partially stabilized on both opposing edges.

Keep the suggestions coming.

Best,

Mike Bandli
www.Astro-Artifacts.com

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Darryl Pitt <darryl at dof3.com>
> 
> 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,
> 
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