MadSci Network: Astronomy
Query:

Re: when viewing a meteorite in the sky, what colors can you see?

Date: Wed Jul 19 15:18:30 2000
Posted By: Steve Laybourn, Undergraduate, Computer Science, Laughing Otter Computing Services
Area of science: Astronomy
ID: 962924875.As
Message:

G'day!
   Yes, there is an explanation for the colors you see as meteoroids 
vaporize. (Incidentally, if a meteoroid (or meteor) hits the ground, then 
it is known as a meteorite).
   
   Two of the major factors for a meteoroid's color are speed and 
composition.

   During its trip through the atmosphere, meteoroids collide with air 
molecules, knocking away materials and stripping electrons from the 
meteor. When the stripped atoms recapture electrons, light is emitted. The 
color of the light depends on the temperature and the material affected.
So the faster the meteoroid hits our atmosphere, the brighter it will 
usually glow.

   Here's a quick table of elements commonly vaporized in our atmosphere 
as meteoroids disintegrate:

Element    Color
Sodium     Orange-Yellow 
Iron       Yellow 
Magnesium  Blue-Green
Calcium    Violet 
Silicon    Red 

   I'm also told that red meteors which appear as very long streaks are 
more than likely skimming the atmosphere, like a flat rock on water.

   Oh, yeah, and green meteors occasionally show up too. These are usually 
quite bright. Ionized oxygen may cause the green color. In fact, I'm told 
it's a similar phenomenon to the famous green flash that occurs just as 
the sun dips below the horizon on Maui, Hawaii.

   I hope this helps a bit.

   Steve Cartoon
   Web Engineering, Edmark Corporation






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