Fireworks in Space – Fan Questions | StarTalk

fireworks have gunpowder of some kind in
them some kind of explosive that
requires the oxygen in the air to ignite
this is what burning something means
oxygen plus this other chemical releases
energy so if you have fireworks in space
it would have to carry its own oxidant
with it otherwise you can’t light
because in space nothing burns because
there’s no option so if you managed to
have it with its own oxidant there goes
the difference is on earth fireworks go
up and then they cascade down that we
choreograph the thrust of the rocket
with the downward pull of gravity in the
design of the fireworks displays in
space that was the one the chrysanthemum
one where everyone’s favorite it goes up
and and it looks like a weeping willow
or a chrysanthemum if you imagine doing
this in space and you did that they
would just keep going in every direction
they wouldn’t sort of stop by the way
they’re stopping because air resistance
prevents them from continuing to extend
in space where there’s no air and the
forces of gravity are neutralized things
were just completely they would just you
lose the effect if fireworks were
invented for on earth in air yeah if you
have moon colonies give up the notion of
fireworks think of something else to
entertain yourself on July 4th
you