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To: Strategerist

So where did it impact? :)

What is a bolide? There is no consensus on its definition, but we use it to mean an extraterrestrial body in the 1-10-km size range, which impacts the earth at velocities of literally faster than a speeding bullet (20-70 km/sec = Mach 75), explodes upon impact, and creates a large crater. "Bolide" is a generic term, used to imply that we do not know the precise nature of the impacting body . . . whether it is a rocky or metallic asteroid, or an icy comet, for example.


41 posted on 04/25/2005 1:00:40 AM PDT by taxesareforever
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To: taxesareforever
What is a bolide? There is no consensus on its definition, but we use it to mean an extraterrestrial body in the 1-10-km size range, which impacts the earth at velocities of literally faster than a speeding bullet (20-70 km/sec = Mach 75), explodes upon impact, and creates a large crater.

I've never heard of bolides defined before as something that has to impact before in my life, and a quick perusal of the internet finds most define it either as just a really bright meteor, or a bright meteor that produces audible sound (this one apparently didn't, though)

My main point is this guy from Emergency Management proclaiming it part of the Lyrids is an idiot.

46 posted on 04/25/2005 5:14:46 AM PDT by Strategerist
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