(meteorobs) 2/14/2011 NYC / Philly Fireball

[Chris Peterson]

Atmospheric refraction is unlikely to alter the apparent color of a meteor. 
A distant meteor may be affected by atmospheric extinction, the degree of 
which will depend not just on distance, but on dust, water vapor, smoke, and 
other factors. Extinction will typically redden the meteor a little. But I 
think in most cases the effect will be small.

Although green fireballs are the most common, meteors do show other colors, 
and I think the variation in reported color depends mainly on how people 
perceive that color, not on differences in observing conditions.

Chris

*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Thomas Dorman" <drygulch_99 at yahoo.com>
To: "Global Meteor Observing Forum" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 10:53 AM
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) 2/14/2011 NYC / Philly Fireball


> Jim
> To color of a meteor,as seen by an observer,could it not also have to 
> do,at least in some part, with refraction of light in the earth 
> atmosphere, the elevation of the event? If a meteor event is observed at 
> low elevation does this light not become more refrected because of the 
> light passing through more of the atmosphere  than light from a meteor a 
> event at a very high elevation.Someone may wish to look at  meteor color 
> as reported by the observer and elevation.My guess is  that this may 
> account for at least some of the color difference reported by observers of 
> the same event.Just think.
> Thomas