The Secret of the Phosphorescent Green Meteorites Falling on New Zealand

With its primitive tribes, modern cities, Lord of the Rings plateaus, interesting creatures and magnificent nature, New Zealand is already quite a fantastic place. As if all the fantasticness weren’t enough, the green meteor lights in the island’s sky provide eye-catching images.

On July 7, a meteor blew up over the island. Two days after this shout, heard from a part of the country, a new meteor was observed over Canterbury. So why do meteorites falling on the island leave a green trail?

The secret of the green color

Due to the recent increase in meteorite activities in New Zealand, the organization called Fireballs Aotearoa, which brings together astronomers and civil science enthusiasts, tightened its activities. The purpose of this organization is to collect falling meteorites. Organization officials announced the secret of these green colors.

According to this explanation, the phosphorescent green lights are the harbinger of a meteor hitting the atmosphere. Although the brightness of the light changes according to the diameter of the meteor, its structure does not change much. Meteorites enter the atmosphere at an average speed of 60 km. The structure of these stones is generally composed of nickel and iron. Evaporating iron and nickel also causes green lights.

On the other hand, other events that take place in the atmosphere from time to time increase this situation. The traces left behind by the meteorite that fell on July 22, combined with the sodium and iodine carried by the winds from the ocean, resulted in longer-lasting and permanent traces.

It is estimated that an average of 4 meteorites per year fall on the island of New Zealand.