Most researchers I know consider the body to be a meteoroid while it is in
its meteor phase. The term "meteoroid" is used to specifically identify the
body, and distinguish it from the meteor effect.
It is also common, and IMO correct, to talk of a meteorite before it hits
the ground. Once the meteor phase has ended, surviving material will become
meteorites, and may quite acceptably be called such (as in discussing "the
dark flight phase of a meteorite").
Chris
*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Walter Branch" <waltbra...@bellsouth.net>
To: <Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 4:13 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Meteorites 101
Hello Everyone,
The term "meteor" refers to the light phenomenon as an object from space
enters the Earth's atmosphere. What is the proper term for the object
itself?
A meteoroid is an object in space. Is it still called a meteoroid when
it enters the Earth's atmosphere?
-Walter
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