What might the duration of a red color streak indicate about the particle that caused it?

Answer

It might hint at the size and entry angle of the particle due to a longer vertical path

The temporal aspect of a meteor sighting—its duration—offers clues about the physical characteristics of the object causing the streak. A slow, long-lasting red streak specifically suggests that a larger, denser piece of material was involved. This larger mass can sustain the ablation process over a greater vertical distance before burning up, thereby creating a longer visible path. This extended interaction time allows for a more sustained excitation of the atmospheric nitrogen responsible for the red color. Conversely, very fast meteors heat up rapidly and burn out quickly, resulting in brief light shows, making the duration of a red color a valuable observation point for estimating the size and path characteristics of the debris.

What might the duration of a red color streak indicate about the particle that caused it?

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Meteor Space red