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What makes a Meteor Glow?

Here’s a demonstration I do at school shows that illustrates the temperature increase that occurs when air is

rapidly compressed-as in the hypersonic shock wave in front of a meteoroid entering the atmosphere.

At such high velocities, the air literally can not get out of it’s own way fast enough and the

heat doesn’t have a chance to dissipate! Adiabatic compression is the scientific term to describe this part

of the meteor phenomenon.

The Fire Piston demonstrates adiabatic compression; it is just a closed tube with a plunger. A small piece of cotton

is place in the bottom and when the air is rammed down, the temperature increases and the cotton ignites.

The kids love this one!