Fireworks in space

[nfn]

As I sat contemplating my navel the other night I wondered, if an astronaught managed to anchor a firework rocket down on the moon, lit the touchpaper then stood back to a safe distance, what would happen? As there is zero gravity would the rocket fly off, stay static, bury itself of simple explode. Would it explode at all? I'm really curious now and finding hard to sleep!!! Thanks folks

[Loosehead]

Well there is not zero gravity for a start! Ignoring for a minute the lack of oxygen and the fuse was some how allowed to burn down, the rocket would take off as on Earth and travel 6 times higher before falling back. It would not acheive sufficient velocity to escape the moon's gravity. Probably the lack of oxygen though would make it a very unspectacular event.

[nfn]

thanks for that and I apologise most humbly for my gaff about the gravity, I consider myself well and truly chastisted.

So does that mean that there wouldn't be the kind of chrysanthamum light show like we might get on earth?

[Loosehead]

I'm pretty sure the light show requires the presence of Oxygen so no, there would be no light show!

[nfn]

aww, thats a shame. pretty much answers my question tho so thanks a lot for your time loosehead.

[Mortartube]

The rocket would take off and burst with stars, dependant on the stars loaded into the rocket.

Some firework effects have a positive oxygen balance. In other words, they rely almost entirely on the oxygen in the oxidiser present in the mixture.

Some have a negative oxygen balance and rely on the presence of atmospheric oxygen for their effect.

For example the willow effects that just look like tendrils of sparks hanging in the air, are fine particles of charcoal or aluminium that rely on atmospheric oxygen to continue glowing after the initial burst.

Plain coloured stars such as reds and greens would be likely to burn as on earth, with the addition of a bit more oxidiser in the mixture..

[Mortartube]

I should have said it would take off if not anchored.

[mibn2cweus]

Expect an erratic flight path since the stick attached to most firework rockets relies on the air to keep the rocket flying straight.
The air also provides a medium for transfering the sound of any explosive reports. Sorry, no kaboom!

[nfn]

oh my head is fizzing now! so we would get sparkles but no bang. This is really interesting. Thanks folks for all your replies, sorry it took me so long to thank you