What color often characterizes the brief initial glowing wake left immediately behind an exceptionally bright fireball?
Answer
Green
For exceptionally luminous objects called fireballs or bolides, the initial glowing track left immediately trailing the main body is frequently described as a wake, and this specific phenomenon often manifests as a green light. This green emission is typically attributed to excited neutral oxygen atoms present in the surrounding air, rather than being derived directly from the vaporized material of the meteoroid itself. This wake is ephemeral, usually lasting only a few seconds before dissipating, distinguishing it from the longer-lasting afterglow or persistent train effects.
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