Meteor colour
Meteors can glow green, orange, blue or red, depending on their speed, chemistry and the air they heat.
Meteors come in many colours. Their glow comes from atoms of the meteoroid and of the air that are heated until they shine. Different elements give different colours, just like fireworks.
Sodium gives a yellow-orange glow, magnesium can look blue-green, iron produces yellow, and calcium gives violet. The air itself contributes: oxygen atoms can produce a vivid green, and nitrogen and oxygen give red, especially in long-lasting trails. Fast meteors heat the air more strongly, so they often appear greener or bluer, while slower ones look more yellow or orange.
Colour is also affected by how bright a meteor is, because our eyes see colour poorly in faint light. Most faint meteors look white. Bright fireballs often show striking colours and even change colour as they fall, perhaps green at first and orange as they break apart. When reporting a fireball, noting its colour helps scientists understand what kind of meteoroid it was.
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Level: Beginner Ages 7 and up