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Shooting Stars

This Science Minute was researched and written by Paisha G. of East Smithfield, PA.

Have you ever seen a shooting star? You may be surprised to learn that what you saw has nothing to do with stars!

The streaks of light we call "shooting stars" are caused by meteoroids, small bits of rock or dust that fall into the earth's atmosphere and burn up. The short-lived trail of light that a burning meteoroid creates is called a meteor.

At certain times of the year, there can be great numbers of meteors in the night sky. These events are called meteor showers, and they occur when the earth passes through the trail of debris left by a comet as it orbits the sun.

Sometimes meteor showers are named after the constellation from which they appear to originate. For example, the Leonid Meteor Shower, or Leonids, appears to begin at the constellation Leo.

So, next time you see a shooting star, remember that it's actually a meteor!