What is "bolide" in astronomy?
A bolide is a meteor that is brighter than the planet Venus (i.e. a fireball), and which explodes or breaks up (usually accompanied by a sonic boom) before reaching the ground.
There are of order 5,000 bolides per year fall to Earth but very few of these are actually observed. This is because: -they fall over the sparcely populated areas that make up the majority of the Earth (including oceans); -they fall during the day and are masked by the brightness of the Sun; -they fall during the night when few people are awake to observe them.
More Info:
astronomy.swin.edu.au
What are your thoughts on this subject?
9 Comments
Francie Carlson
The picture gave the answer away.
Peter Abrams
The word meteor refers to the light streak in the sky. The rock which causes the light streak is called a meteoroid. When that rock lands on the ground or in the sea, it's called a meteorite. So many people use the word 'meteor to mean all three things.
Cheryl Love
Lilly gives it away again with the picture. Sigh…..
Alan Waites
ctbratton, wish i got a picture
Lawanta
I saw a bolide once when returning home from a trip to Chicago... I was traveling on the Interstate highway, and the whole sky lit up brilliantly💥
catmom
The pixs help & they DO NOT make the question useless.
Steve Bush
ctbratton, not the first time
John W Shreve
That picture of Donald hitting on Minnie helped.
earlepg
5,000 bolides each year, yet this was first time I've heard the term.