[meteorite-list] What makes a meteor glow?

From: Bob King <nightsky55_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:09:17 -0500
Message-ID: <AANLkTimvxOx-WHnbVGThIyQ--O6LX1trnPc9_uSdllE6_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi everyone,
This thread has perhaps appeared before, but I can't seem to find a
clear answer on how much an incoming meteor's light is due to heating
of the material itself versus the recombination of ionized atoms that
have been heated by the object's movement through the air. I always
thought the majority portion -- the bright streak -- was a tube-like
glow of ionized air.
Thank you for your help on the question :)
Bob
Received on Mon 28 Jun 2010 04:09:17 PM PDT