Eli5: How do objects entering the earth atmosphere catch fire? is it from travelling to quick?
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Most of those objects are moving VERY fast and slowing down VERY quickly. All of that kinetic energy has to go somewhere. Most of it heats up the gas behind the shock, some is turned into radiation (light), and a few percent end up deposited on the surface. Even that few percent is enough to make most things burn when there is oxygen present.
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