[meteorite-list] Meteorites 101

[Chris Peterson]

Most meteorites are single entities. They probably result from 
non-fragmenting events- just a piece of rock that enters slow and shallow, 
stops burning, and the core hits the ground. Meteorites that are grouped and 
found in strewn fields come from larger, fragmenting events.

Meteorite hunters don't pay so much attention to small meteors because 
there's usually not enough information to use. Most are not caught on any 
instruments and result in few if any witnesses. And since they usually only 
produce a single, small fragment, the likelihood of recovery is smaller.

Fragmenting fireballs and sonic booms are good indicators of meteorite 
production. But their absence does not suggest the absence of meteorites.

Even if most meteorites follow small meteors, there is a clear, logical 
basis to only chasing the big fireballs.

The meteor you refer to was not on my camera. The cameras closer to Denver 
haven't reported in yet- probably on Monday.

Chris

*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Hankey" <mike.hankey at gmail.com>
To: "Chris Peterson" <clp at alumni.caltech.edu>
Cc: <Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 6:59 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Meteorites 101


Interesting...I did not know that.

So why is it then that folks on the met list only care about the boomers 
that happen 3-5 times a year and write off the minor events that seem to 
happen daily.

There seems to be a belief on the list that no boom = no meteorite.  No 
bolide = no meteorite. You're saying this is not true?

Then what are the factors that determine meteorite and how can we properly 
ID the producers?

I also hope you arent talking about micro meteorites. Because 
statistically...

PS did you catch last nights green fireball on your sky cam? It was reported 
from CO, WY, NV and CA