- #1
swampwiz
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https://www.goodshomedesign.com/photographer-gets-once-in-a-lifetime-shot-of-meteor-by-accident
What would make a bolide be green? Copper?
What would make a bolide be green? Copper?
Vanadium 50 said:Air.
Could be nickel as well.etotheipi said:What compound in the air exhibits transitions that would produce the green colour? Don't know anything about mineralogy but I presumed this one might be caused by something like copper, nickel or barium in the meteor, or something else that's usually green
That is, unless the colour is only due to an optical quirk, or some other effect that I don't know about
One of the earliest chemistry experiments I learned as a child from my father (chemist/EE) was to hold metal coins (before laminates became common) in a natural gas flame using long pliers. Each coin displayed a characteristic color in the flame. Nickles showed bright green.chemisttree said:Could be nickel as well.
Yes, both oxygen (even though that’s strictly “forbidden”!) or nickel could have caused it.Klystron said:One of the earliest chemistry experiments I learned as a child from my father (chemist/EE) was to hold metal coins (before laminates became common) in a natural gas flame using long pliers. Each coin displayed a characteristic color in the flame. Nickles showed bright green.
Perhaps both meteor material and atmospheric oxygen contribute to the colors in this excellent photo.
swampwiz said:What would make a bolide be green? Copper?
etotheipi said:this one might be caused by something like copper, nickel or barium in the meteor,
Vanadium 50 said:I think it's atomic oxygen, which has a line at 557.7 nm.
Klystron said:Perhaps both meteor material and atmospheric oxygen contribute to the colors in this excellent photo.
A green bolide is a type of meteor that appears as a bright green fireball in the sky. It is caused by a large piece of space debris, such as a comet or asteroid, entering Earth's atmosphere at high speeds and burning up due to friction with the air.
Green bolides are relatively rare, occurring only a few times a year. However, they are more likely to be seen in areas with low light pollution and during peak meteor shower events.
This meteor is special because it was captured by accident in a photograph, allowing scientists to study its trajectory and composition. It also appeared as a particularly bright and vivid green bolide, making it a rare and spectacular event to witness.
By studying this meteor, scientists can learn more about the composition and origins of the space debris that enters Earth's atmosphere. They can also use the data to better understand the potential hazards and risks associated with these objects.
In general, green bolides do not pose a significant danger to humans. Most of them burn up completely in the atmosphere before reaching the ground. However, larger objects may cause sonic booms or produce meteorites that can potentially cause damage if they land in populated areas.