At what approximate altitude range do meteors generally start becoming incandescent?

Answer

70 to 80 miles (approximately 110 to 130 kilometers) above the ground

Meteors require a specific level of atmospheric drag and heating before they become visible. They initiate this visible emission, or incandescent stage, only after penetrating sufficiently deep into the atmosphere. The documented range for this initial glow is between 70 and 80 miles above the surface, which converts to roughly 110 to 130 kilometers. This altitude places the entire luminous event firmly within the upper mesosphere and thermosphere, well above where typical commercial aviation operates. This altitude ensures that the atmospheric density is high enough to cause extreme heating through friction, but the gases present are still sparse enough to allow for these specific spectral emissions before the object burns up or fragments completely.

At what approximate altitude range do meteors generally start becoming incandescent?

Related Questions

Which element primarily causes a prominent red glow during a meteor streak?At what approximate altitude range do meteors generally start becoming incandescent?What element typically yields a blue-green light when seen in a meteor trail?What causes the meteoroid material and surrounding air to emit light during entry?What atmospheric layer hosts the light show of a typical meteor?What elemental signature is associated with Iron vaporizing from meteoroid material?What might a very fast meteor's brief light emission suggest about its color?Which meteor shower is known for potentially exhibiting a whole rainbow of colors?What does observing a distinct yellow or orange tint usually imply about the vaporized material?What might the duration of a red color streak indicate about the particle that caused it?
MeteorSpacered