The term "shooting star" is commonly used to describe the phenomenon of a meteoroid entering Earth's atmosphere and burning up, creating a streak of light in the sky. These streaks of light are known as meteors. The color of a shooting star can vary, and green is one of the colors frequently reported.
When a shooting star appears green, it indicates the presence of specific elements or compounds in the meteoroid. The green color is typically caused by the presence of nickel, and occasionally by other elements such as magnesium and barium. As the meteoroid travels through the atmosphere at high speed, it undergoes intense heating due to friction, causing the outer layers to vaporize and emit light. The specific chemical composition of the meteoroid determines the color of the resulting streak.
Green shooting stars are a captivating sight and can be quite striking against the night sky. However, it's important to note that the color of a shooting star is a transient phenomenon and can vary from meteor to meteor. The majority of meteors are relatively small and burn up completely in the atmosphere, producing a brief but memorable display for observers on Earth.