# "English Girl Hit By Meteorite" Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 29, 2002, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097 "2002-08-29T14:51:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/1 "2002-08-29T14:51:26Z")
First of all, when they reported this story on NPR’s “Morning Edition” this morning, the woman interviewing the girl repeatedly called it a meteorite. Wasn’t it actually not a meteorite but a meteor when it hit her? It didn’t become a meteorite until it bounced off her foot and hit the ground. Also, the girl was asked why she thought it was an extraterrestrial rock and she answered “because it was hot when I picked it up.” Presumably by this she meant it was hot, as if it had been heated by friction while falling through the atmosphere. I remember reading in our old buddy **The Bad Astronomer** ’s [website](http://www.badastronomy.com/) that by the time meteors reach the surface of the Earth they’re no longer hot; in fact they’re quite cool. I can’t find that at the Bad Astronomy site right now, but I’m sure I read it there once. Correct? If so, why else would the English teenager’s rock have been hot? ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/2 "2002-08-29T15:07:19Z")
Here’s the entry from TBA’s site that you were thinking of: [Meteroic Rise](http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/meteoric.html). > [@](#): > > Actually, meteorites found shortly after impact tend to be warm, but not hot at all! As for the _meteor/meteorite_ distinction, I think once the meteor impacted something – in this case, the girl’s foot – it became a meteorite. Insisting that it has to touch the ground seems a bit extreme. Otherwise, if it had bounced off her foot and she had caught it, it would still be a meteor. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Toby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b3f665/32.png) [@Uncle\_Toby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Toby)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/3 "2002-08-29T15:28:31Z")
If only John Donne were alive to see it! ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/4 "2002-08-29T15:35:25Z")
I think the bad astronomer has changed that article recently - I _swear_ I remember reading that some small meteorites found shortly after impact are surrounded by frost, because while the outside heats up due to atmospheric friction, the inside remains as cold as deep space…which is pretty cold. Am I nuts? ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/5 "2002-08-29T15:37:40Z")
From the song “Shooting Star” recorded by They Might Be Giants: A shooting star or meteor, whichever name you like, The moment that it falls to earth, becomes a meteorite. I think a girl’s foot counts, though. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/6 "2002-08-29T15:44:48Z")
That’s gonna leave a mark. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/7 "2002-08-29T16:24:11Z")
From what I’ve heard, **lieu** , not only did it not leave a mark, but it didn’t even hurt. And even if we accept that it became a meteorite when it hit her foot, not when it hit the ground, then she was still hit by a meteor. Which became a meteorite at the moment of impact. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/8 "2002-08-29T16:31:29Z")
If the meteor/ite was small enough that it didn’t hurt the girl, then it was almost certainly small enough that it would have been heated through to the core, and would be hot if picked up quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Geoduck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c37758/32.png) [@Geoduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geoduck)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/9 "2002-08-29T18:39:04Z")
During the major meteor shower over North America last November, a meteor zipped by me during my walk home from work. The evening was dark and the meteor passed by about 50 yards on an arc. I heard it approaching as it exhibited an intense sizzling, crackling sound. Even more compelling was its appearance—a pulsating bright rock the color of the aptly named Comet cleanser. It sure seemed hot to me. I am almost certain that the meteor disappeared into the depths of Puget Sound about two blocks away It was truly awesome. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/10 "2002-08-29T18:45:24Z")
Can’t agree, Fiver. She was hit by a meteorite. Once it touched her, it was a meteorite; it was a meteor only BEFORE it touched her. She wasn’t struck by it, obviously, until it came into contact with her. She was only ever touched, by definition, by a meteorite. Also, what size was it? If it was very small, it wouldn’t surprise me if it had slowed down quite a bit by the time it hit her. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/11 "2002-08-29T20:11:36Z")
Well, any meteor/ite that you would survive being hit by, would be small enough that it was going at terminal velocity when it hit. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/12 "2002-08-29T20:42:53Z")
> [@](#): > > **(Fiver)** And even if we accept that it became a meteorite when it hit her foot, not when it hit the ground, then she was still hit by a meteor. Which became a meteorite at the moment of impact. > > **(RickJay)** Can’t agree, Fiver. She was hit by a meteorite. Once it touched her, it was a meteorite; it was a meteor only BEFORE it touched her. She wasn’t struck by it, obviously, until it came into contact with her. She was only ever touched, by definition, by a meteorite. Where’s Zeno when you need him? ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/13 "2002-08-29T20:43:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Geoduck \* > \*\*During the major meteor shower over North America last November, a meteor zipped by me during my walk home from work. The evening was dark and the meteor passed by about 50 yards on an arc. I heard it approaching as it exhibited an intense sizzling, crackling sound. Even more compelling was its appearance—a pulsating bright rock the color of the aptly named Comet cleanser. It sure seemed hot to me. I am almost certain that the meteor disappeared into the depths of Puget Sound about two blocks away > > It was truly awesome. \*\* So **Geoduck** , why weren’t you on NPR? ---
**Author:** ![a\_gherkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f6c823/32.png) [@a\_gherkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a_gherkin)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/14 "2002-08-29T21:24:00Z")
hmmm i feel reluctant to trust a site entitled ‘bad astronomer’!! ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/15 "2002-08-30T01:04:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by a\_gherkin \* > \*\*hmmm i feel reluctant to trust a site entitled ‘bad astronomer’!! \*\* Heretic. 😛 Actually, **bad astronomer** is “bad like Michael Jackson”. Actually, that’s the _only_ way **bad astronomer** is like Michael Jackson. Now that I think of it, there really _isn’t_ anybody like Michael Jackson. PS-- **bad astronomer** is a regular poster here on the SDMB, & he is really a _good_ astronomer. Not one of those “take over the world” type astronomers. M’kay? Good. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/16 "2002-08-30T01:25:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RickJay \* > **Can’t agree, Fiver. She was hit by a meteorite. Once it touched her, it was a meteorite; it was a meteor only BEFORE it touched her. She wasn’t struck by it, obviously, until it came into contact with her** No, she was hit by a meteor. Which then became a meteorite. Meteorite is a meteor that _has fallen_. When it hit her, it was falling, not fallen. If it had fallen, it could not have hit her. If a car stops when it hits you, were you hit by a stopped car or by a moving car that stopped when it hit you? ---
**Author:** ![Geoduck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c37758/32.png) [@Geoduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geoduck)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/17 "2002-08-30T05:27:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Morgainelf \* > \*\* > > So **Geoduck** , why weren’t you on NPR? \*\* I guess I didn’t think (and still don’t) it was a big enough deal to warrant news, is it? After I “experienced” the meteor I did yell out “Did anyone see that?” out of exhilaration. My neighbor was behind me 1/2 a block and did hear me, but as he was way further downhill, he didn’t see what I did. He is a US Park Ranger and would have carried more credibility than me. Oh well, it was still cosmic. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/18 "2002-08-30T12:41:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Princhester \* > \*\* > > No, she was hit by a meteor. Which then became a meteorite. Meteorite is a meteor that _has fallen_. When it hit her, it was falling, not fallen. If it had fallen, it could not have hit her. > > If a car stops when it hits you, were you hit by a stopped car or by a moving car that stopped when it hit you? \*\* But the car was still moving when it hit me (unless I ran into it, I guess.) Ergo, I was hit by a moving car. A meteorite has fallen, by definition, **when** it hits me; IMHO, hitting anything on the ground qualifies. The car did not become a “stopped car” by definition when it came into contact with me. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/19 "2002-08-30T12:43:00Z")
It was “cosmic” in the very best sense of the word, **Geoduck**. Not in the sense that involves Wyndham Hill recordings. Nicely put, **Princhester**. ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097/20 "2002-08-30T13:52:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Geoduck \* > \*\* > > I guess I didn’t think (and still don’t) it was a big enough deal to warrant news, is it?\*\* 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-girl-hit-by-meteorite-questions/126097.md?page=2)