[meteorite-list] Do Meteoroids "Skip"?

[Pete Shugar]

Yes they can skip, just as a rock does if tincoming angle is shallow enough.
I remember that this was one of the fears upon Apollo 13's return and 
reentery into the atmosphere. If the Apollo 13 command module could skip, I 
see no reason why a meteorite couldn't skip also. Having said this, I will 
also say I've never seen one skip.
Pete

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Anita D. Westlake" <libawc at emory.edu>
To: <Carrieloman at aol.com>
Cc: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 9:42 AM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Do Meteoroids "Skip"?



>

> I have a strange question for you...hopefully you can set me straight on

> this! Last night I and two friends saw a bright light streaking in the

> sky. It had a tail on it, looking like a meteoroid. The object was falling

> to the ground, and it faded out rather high in the sky, but less than a

> second later, and on the course, it appeared again looking like it did

> before. Did we see a meteorite? I have seen "shooting stars" before, not

> just one or two. One night at my parents house (they lived in the

> country) there was a shower that lasted hours. It was beautiful but none 

> of

> the ones we watched "skipped" like this one did last night. If it was just

> me, I would have thought it was due to lack of sleep, but since my friends

> saw it too, I know I didn't imagine it! The question is do meteoroids

> behave like this?

>

> Thanks so much for you help!

>

> Ginny

>

> Hi Ginny! Good question. I'll ask my meteorite list and get back to you.

> I've never heard of them "skipping" but then, I recently learned I don't

> know everything!

> Anita

>

>

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