do meteorites zig zag?

On Wed, 30 Jun 2004 22:14:21 +0800, slh wrote:

can someone please explain what makes a meteorite zig zag to the extent that
it distinctly noticeable to a number of viewers in different locations as
per the report below?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...6/s1143829.htm
[snip]

Assuming the reports are accurate, my best guess is that it broke up and
various pieces began glowing from different points.


--
- Mike

Remove 'spambegone.net' and reverse to send e-mail.

"slh" wrote in message
...
can someone please explain what makes a meteorite zig zag to the extent
that
it distinctly noticeable to a number of viewers in different locations as
per the report below?

You are committing a logical fallacy here. Your subject was "Do meteorites
zig zag?" which is a reasonable question. Then you ask "what makes a
meteorite zig zag to the extent...?" which question assumes that they do, in
fact, zig zag. This is an unreasonable question, since it presupposes facts
not in evidence.

"slh" wrote in message
...
can someone please explain what makes a meteorite zig zag to the extent
that
it distinctly noticeable to a number of viewers in different locations as
per the report below?

You are committing a logical fallacy here. Your subject was "Do meteorites
zig zag?" which is a reasonable question. Then you ask "what makes a
meteorite zig zag to the extent...?" which question assumes that they do, in
fact, zig zag. This is an unreasonable question, since it presupposes facts
not in evidence.

The only thing it takes for observations of zig zagging is inaccurate
observations. Illusion accounts for it, as do excited observers.
Additionally, it is possible a meteor broke up with various pieces confused
for the same object on a zigzag path.

Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/
And the Lunar Picture of the Day http://www.lpod.org/
************************************

"slh" wrote in message
...
can someone please explain what makes a meteorite zig zag to the extent
that
it distinctly noticeable to a number of viewers in different locations as
per the report below?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...6/s1143829.htm

Last Update: Wednesday, June 30, 2004. 3:14pm (AEST)

Meteorite reported in southern WA

The Perth Observatory says it has had reports a meteor has crashed
near Walpole in Western Australia's south.

Witnesses say they saw a large, fiery object zigzagging through the
sky at about 5:30pm yesterday.

The witnesses say the object left a trail of thick smoke and then
they heard a bang.

The observatory says it appears the object was travelling somewhere
between Perth and Albany in a south-south easterly direction.

Walpole resident Heather Burton was in her backyard when she saw the
object.

She says it was unlike a normal shooting star.

"A shooting star usually just goes straight across or straight down -
this one had these gradual zigzags just coming down," she said.

Alex Bevan from the WA Museum says the reports indicate the
sightings were the result of a fireball generated by a meteorite.

"We're certainly picking up reports of a bright fireball and sonic
phenomena associated - I'm absolutely sure - with the fall of a
meteorite," Dr Bevan said.

Dr Bevan says it will be difficult to find where the meteorite
landed.

"Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be as many observations, so
actually pinning down where the object landed might be a bit
difficult and in that area, the vegetation might mean searching for
it would be difficult," he said.

The only thing it takes for observations of zig zagging is inaccurate
observations. Illusion accounts for it, as do excited observers.
Additionally, it is possible a meteor broke up with various pieces confused
for the same object on a zigzag path.

Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/
And the Lunar Picture of the Day http://www.lpod.org/
************************************

"slh" wrote in message
...
can someone please explain what makes a meteorite zig zag to the extent
that
it distinctly noticeable to a number of viewers in different locations as
per the report below?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...6/s1143829.htm

Last Update: Wednesday, June 30, 2004. 3:14pm (AEST)

Meteorite reported in southern WA

The Perth Observatory says it has had reports a meteor has crashed
near Walpole in Western Australia's south.

Witnesses say they saw a large, fiery object zigzagging through the
sky at about 5:30pm yesterday.

The witnesses say the object left a trail of thick smoke and then
they heard a bang.

The observatory says it appears the object was travelling somewhere
between Perth and Albany in a south-south easterly direction.

Walpole resident Heather Burton was in her backyard when she saw the
object.

She says it was unlike a normal shooting star.

"A shooting star usually just goes straight across or straight down -
this one had these gradual zigzags just coming down," she said.

Alex Bevan from the WA Museum says the reports indicate the
sightings were the result of a fireball generated by a meteorite.

"We're certainly picking up reports of a bright fireball and sonic
phenomena associated - I'm absolutely sure - with the fall of a
meteorite," Dr Bevan said.

Dr Bevan says it will be difficult to find where the meteorite
landed.

"Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be as many observations, so
actually pinning down where the object landed might be a bit
difficult and in that area, the vegetation might mean searching for
it would be difficult," he said.