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A "falling star" or a "shooting star" has nothing at all to do with a star! These amazing streaks of light you can sometimes see in the night sky are caused by tiny bits of dust and rock called meteoroids falling into the Earth's atmosphere and burning up.
Is there a meteor shower tonight, and when is the next meteor shower? Use our 2024 guide to find the best time to see shooting stars from your location.
The American Meteor Society, Ltd. is established to inform, encourage, and support the research activities of people who are interested in the field of Meteor Astronomy.
Oct 3, 2023 · Shooting stars are glowing streaks of light produced by small pieces of space rock and dust when they enter the atmosphere at high speed. These meteoroids come from asteroids and comets – pieces of space rock that floats about in between the planets and orbit the sun with them.
Aug 11, 2022 · Meteors are often spotted making a solitary fall to Earth. But at particular times of the year, dozens, even hundreds of meteors can light up the sky in a stunning meteor shower.
Feb 7, 2019 · When you wish upon a falling star, you're actually offering your hopes and dreams to a small piece of space rock burning up as it plummets through Earth's atmosphere. Known as meteors, these...
Sep 8, 2023 · The Science of Shooting Stars. Earth is bombarded by millions of bits of cosmic debris every day. Here’s how to distinguish between the different types. By Phil Plait.
Oct 19, 2023 · Meteors are often referred to as shooting stars or falling stars because of the bright tail of light they create as they pass through the sky. Most meteors occur in Earth’s mesosphere, about 50-80 kilometers (31-50 miles) above Earth's surface.
Jul 14, 2021 · The Perseid meteor shower, one of the year's most spectacular skywatching events, is active from Wednesday to Aug. 24. Here's how to see the shooting stars.
Aug 11, 2023 · Get ready for some shooting stars — this weekend is the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower, the beloved astronomical event that sends bright streaks of light streaming across the night sky.
