What is the primary element responsible for the pronounced yellow or orange tint in a meteor streak?
Answer
Sodium
A pronounced yellow or orange tint in the light emitted by an incoming meteoroid is commonly attributed to the presence of high amounts of Sodium (Na). Sodium emissions, when excited by the intense heat of atmospheric friction, radiate light predominantly in the yellow and orange parts of the visible spectrum. This color is often associated with common crustal materials found in space dust, and because sodium is prevalent, yellow/orange streaks are relatively common observations for those scanning the night sky.
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