Yes, Agreed the labels are useful, but isn't it time to have a (in a Pluto-planet style controversial type way! ;) reclassification of names debate?
'Asteroid' usually means something in the asteroid belt. 'Comet' means, hmm what exactly does comet mean? - Ok yes an object on eccentric orbit around sun, which outgasses.. 'NEO' near earth asteroid, ok slight breach of the earlier definition (like saying something is a far away from sun comet?) See its all in a mess!! I reckon we should be calling them all asteroids or something, and comets should be re-labeled 'outgassing asteroids' or similar. Or maybe micro-Planetoids... Just a thought. Mark Ford -----Original Message----- From: Mark Crawford [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 22 May 2008 12:38 To: Mark Ford Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Observed lunar meteorite impacts hit 100 I don't, personally, see it as a hard distinction. The labels are more for convenience - comets tend to be 'wetter and oilier', and more often are in eccentric orbits. Asteroids tend not to exhibit coma/tail because in a more stable orbits, they would either have lost most of their volatiles long ago (close in), or not be significantly shedding them (farther out). They may be manifestations of the same thing, but the labels are still useful (cf water/ice/steam). Mark Quoting Mark Ford <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > Good point Larry. > > But I can't understand why people are still carefully distinguishing > between comets and Asteroids?, I think by now we can assume they are > basically one and the same, and not some exotic different species. To me > it's just that some rocks are more 'wet and oily' than others... > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us. Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] You should not copy or use this email or attachment(s) for any purpose nor disclose their contents to any other person. GENERAL STATEMENT: Southern Scientific Ltd's computer systems may be monitored and communications carried on them recorded, to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes. Registered address Rectory Farm Rd, Sompting, Lancing, W Sussex BN15 0DP. Company No 1800317 ______________________________________________ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list [email protected] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
