Satellites burning up in our atmosphere may not be as harmless as first thought

• Spacecraft burning up in the atmosphere are leaving behind metal particles.
• Scientists are racing to understand if that affects the climate.
• One risk is that these particles may spark rainbow-colored clouds that damage the ozone layer.

Satellites and spacecraft burning up in our atmosphere are leaving metal particles in the stratosphere — and scientists are worried it could harm our planet.

About 10% of the particles floating around the stratosphere now come from the aerospace industry, and we don't know if this could impact the climate.