Beyond the realms of asteroids, planets, satellites, and comets, the vastness of our solar system houses an abundance of dust particles and minute solid blocks.
As these particles venture into Earth's atmosphere, the friction generated with the air ignites a display of fire and heat, casting a luminous streak across the night sky. This captivating celestial phenomenon is known as a meteor.
A meteor occurs when interplanetary matter infiltrates the Earth's atmosphere, creating luminosity through friction with the air. In the cosmic space surrounding our planet, interplanetary substances, collectively termed meteoroids, vary in size from tiny dust particles to larger blocks resembling mountains. These meteoroids navigate space according to their speed and orbit.
While the majority of meteoroids disintegrate before reaching the Earth's surface, a small fraction manages to land and are referred to as meteorites. Most visible meteoroids are akin to grains of sand, weighing less than one gram. The entry speed of meteoroids into the atmosphere ranges between 11 km/s and 72 km/s, and the color of each meteor varies based on its burning degree.
Comets, as they orbit the sun, leave fragments in their orbits. If a comet's path intersects with Earth's orbit, these fragments become part of Earth's orbit. When the Earth traverses these regions, a multitude of comet fragments enters the atmosphere, giving rise to meteor showers.
Throughout the universe, several densely populated areas feature independently distributed meteoroids. In August of each year, when comets return to the sun's vicinity, the material within them scatters into space due to the solar storm's effect. When these substances encounter Earth, we witness the mesmerizing phenomenon known as meteor showers.
Exceptionally bright meteors are termed bolides, while the particles responsible for meteor phenomena are identified as meteoroids. Meteoroids slightly larger than mung beans enter the atmosphere, creating visible meteors.
Observant viewers may discern that meteors exhibit various colors, indicative of differences in their chemical composition and reaction temperature. The color of meteors essentially reflects the emission of specific wavelengths of light during the ablative process.
Meteoroids primarily consist of elements such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, and silicon, among others. As these elements undergo ablation, they emit distinct colors of light. For instance, calcium atoms emit purple light, magnesium atoms produce blue-green light, sodium atoms generate orange-yellow light, iron atoms emit yellow light, and silicon atoms give off red light. Additionally, numerous nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the air contribute to the emission of red light.
A meteor shower manifests as a burst of meteors seemingly falling from a single point in the night sky, known as the shower's radiant point. Generally, meteor showers derive their names from the constellations near the radiant point, facilitating differentiation between meteor showers originating from various locations.
Meteors, with their intense brightness, are observable to the unaided eye. However, in conditions of hazy weather, their visibility is compromised. To fully appreciate these celestial wonders, seek out clear night skies where both the stars and the exquisite shooting stars can be observed.
