Which element primarily causes a prominent red glow during a meteor streak?

Answer

Nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere

The distinct red hue observed in a meteor flash is a strong indicator of chemical interactions occurring within Earth's upper atmosphere, specifically involving nitrogen molecules. When a meteoroid enters the atmosphere at high velocity, the resulting friction creates intense heat, leading to ablation. This process excites the surrounding air molecules. Unlike colors derived from the meteoroid's own composition, such as magnesium producing blue-green or iron/sodium producing yellow/orange, the prominent red glow is overwhelmingly attributed to the excitation of atmospheric nitrogen molecules. As these nitrogen molecules absorb the energy from the passage of the superheated plume, they release photons corresponding to the red wavelength of the visible spectrum. Therefore, a deep and pervasive red streak signifies that the energizing of atmospheric nitrogen is the dominant source dictating the observed color signature for that specific segment of the meteor's path.

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?

Meteor Space red