Fireworks are gone: Japanese create artificial meteor shower

Meteor showers are among the most popular celestial events on the planet - and generally occur in association with the passage of celestial bodies such as comets and asteroids around Earth. However, thanks to the initiative of a Japanese startup, humanity will no longer have to wait for the approach of space rocks to enjoy these stellar shows.

That's because the folks at Astro Live Experience (ALE) have developed a new technology that allows for the creation of artificial meteor showers - so they happen when the Earthlings want it (and they have enough money to pay for the show, of course!). And how does this fake shooting star production work?

Meteor shower on request

The system works from satellites that are sent to low Earth orbit, at about 400 km altitude. These devices are loaded with 1 cm diameter metal balls that, after being released by the equipment, enter the atmosphere and, when approaching about 100 km from the planet's surface, they glow as if they were falling stars.

According to the startup, the whole show can be "coordinated" here on Earth, since ALE has devices that allow the company to control not only the satellites, but also the launch of "little meteors" and even the intensity of light produced. by the balls.

About the capacity of the satellites, the Japanese company revealed that each equipment can carry 400 units - enough for an estimated 20 to 30 shows. Moreover, according to ALE, the events could be attended by millions of people across large areas and, as the spheres completely disintegrate upon their entry into the atmosphere, the environmental impact of the shows is minimal.

Another interesting detail is that ALE, in addition to providing celestial spectacles, will conduct scientific surveys with its satellites, collecting data on the earth's atmosphere that may help researchers predict the trajectories of objects that collide with our planet.

The inaugural artificial meteor shower has a date yet, though we need to wait a while to see what the show will look like! It will happen next year about Hiroshima and Setouchi in Japan, but there are already several companies interested in hiring startup services.