Comets and asteroids · Observing
Bolide
Say it: BOH-lyde IPA: /ˈboʊlaɪd/ noun
Bolide: An exceptionally bright meteor, often one that breaks apart or ends in a brilliant flash.
A small incoming space rock can produce an intense streak as it meets the atmosphere. Bolide is commonly used for the especially dramatic events, although definitions vary between fields.
- Example
- The bolide ended in a sudden flash above the horizon.
- Why astronomers use it
- Such events help researchers study incoming objects and the energy they deposit in the atmosphere.
- Tiny cosmic connection
- A bolide is not proof that a meteorite reached the ground.
Observatory Comets and asteroids Observing
Where to check it
Written for Cool Moon Facts in its own words; the sources cover the same idea in more depth.