Have you seen the meteoric smoke-ring?

In summary, a meteoric smoke-ring is a rare phenomenon that occurs when a meteor enters the Earth's atmosphere and creates a smoke trail in the shape of a ring. It is formed when a meteor vaporizes and ionizes the surrounding air, creating a trail of hot, glowing gases that expand outward in a circular shape. These smoke-rings are unpredictable and can be seen in areas with clear, dark skies during meteor showers or other astronomical events. They typically last for a few seconds to a few minutes and studying them can provide valuable information about meteors and our solar system.
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B0b-A
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4 seconds from start ...


vimeo.com/110535098

[ it's time-lapse : "...120 consecutive 30 second exposures ..." , so about 360x normal speed ]
 
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Very cool :-)
 
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Saw this on reddit not too long ago. It's a very rare thing to see, especially on film. Really fascinating stuff.
 
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Yadama said:
Saw this on reddit not too long ago. It's a very rare thing to see, especially on film. Really fascinating stuff.
Yup, tho I suspect that its an interaction between the meteor and the cloud/water vapor
 
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  • #5
woah...Cool...what happened exactly..?..did it explode..?... and does the same happen to most of the Meteors..?
 

1. What is a meteoric smoke-ring?

A meteoric smoke-ring is a rare phenomenon that occurs when a meteor enters the Earth's atmosphere and creates a smoke trail in the shape of a ring. It is also known as a "smoke vortex" or "smoke halo".

2. How is a meteoric smoke-ring formed?

A meteoric smoke-ring is formed when a meteor, traveling at high speeds through the Earth's atmosphere, vaporizes and ionizes the surrounding air. This creates a trail of hot, glowing gases that expand outward in a circular shape, creating the distinctive smoke-ring appearance.

3. Where can I see a meteoric smoke-ring?

Meteoric smoke-rings are rare and unpredictable, so there is no specific location where they can be seen. However, they are more likely to be visible in areas with clear, dark skies and during meteor showers or other astronomical events.

4. How long does a meteoric smoke-ring last?

The duration of a meteoric smoke-ring varies, but they typically last for a few seconds to a few minutes. The size, speed, and composition of the meteor can also affect the length of time the smoke-ring remains visible.

5. Why are meteoric smoke-rings important to study?

Meteoric smoke-rings can provide valuable information about the composition and behavior of meteors, as well as the Earth's atmosphere. Studying them can also help scientists better understand the origins and evolution of our solar system.

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