Green Meteors Blasting Through the Skies; Why Are They Common in New Zealand?

One glowing green meteor has recently blasted through the skies of New Zealand, and it is the second major meteor to be spotted over the country in only a couple of weeks.

As specified in a Metro report, in early July, a space rock blasted close to the capital city of Wellington, leading to a sonic boom that was heard throughout the country's North Island. Specifically, this orange fireball exploded during the day, right after lunchtime.

Then, only 14 days after, a second substantial meteor flew through the sky, causing another sonic boom, this time heard on the South Island, and an extraordinary glowing green tail.

According to Jak Baggaley, professor emeritus from the University of Canterbury, glowing green meteors are somewhat common in New Zealand.

Earlier Occurrence

As specified in a report from The Conversation early last month, meteorites are hitting New Zealand about three or four times each year, although the fireball.

Meteorites hit New Zealand thrice a year, but the fireball that shot across the sky above Cook Strait last week was unusual.

It had the explosive power of 1,800 tons of TNT and was caught from space by satellites from the United States. It set off a sonic boom heard throughout the North Island's southern parts.

A giant bright orange fireball and a flash that left a "trail of smoke" hanging around for several minutes were described by witnesses of the occurrence.

This fireball was most likely caused by a tiny meteor, up to a few meters in diameter, traveling through the atmosphere of Earth.

It was just five effects of greater than 1,000 tons of energy worldwide in the past year. Furthermore, most meteors are small, producing "shooting stars" that only shortly skim the Earth's atmosphere.

What Caused the Recent Meteor Fireball?

The glow of the most recent meteor fireball will have been caused by the chemicals it had. The small chunk of an asteroid is likely made up of nickel and iron, which emit a green glow at high temperatures.

When a meteor flies at speed through the atmosphere of Earth, it gets extremely hot, causing it to glow vividly.

Moreover, green meteor tails can be caused by an impact as well, akin to that which is creating auroras, Baggaley explained in a separate report by The Conversation, although this only takes place when they are traveling at very high speeds.

Radio NZ reported that it had been more than two decades since the last notable meteor in the country. However, far more, perhaps as many as 20 each year, are true, making their way over kiwi skies. Interestingly, a few of these space rocks can be recovered.

'Fireballs Aotearoa'

Academics at Otago University and the University of Canterbury, together with local citizen scientists, have launched a meteor spotting network known as "Fireballs Aotearoa."

In addition to recording the sky using dozens of cameras, the organization also appeals to local citizens for information on spottings and any photos and footage they may have captured.

The group aims to track meteors as they fall in the hopes of gathering fragments that have fallen to and landed on the ground.

The ancient rocks are precious to scientists as they hold secrets about the universe's history.

A related report about a meteor spotted in the New Zealand sky is shown on NewsHub's YouTube video below:

Check out more news and information on Meteors in Science Times.