In a meteor or meteorite, how is the shooting star formed?

Meteor showers occur when dust or particles from asteroids or comets enter Earth's atmosphere at very high speed. When they hit the atmosphere, meteors rub against air particles and create friction, heating the meteors. The heat vaporizes most meteors, creating what we call shooting stars. read more

Meteor showers occur when dust or particles from asteroids or comets enter Earth's atmosphere at very high speed. When they hit the atmosphere, meteors rub against air particles and create friction, heating the meteors. The heat vaporizes most meteors, creating what we call shooting stars. read more

Tell the class that very few of the meteors formed are seen. Ask them to think about why this is the case. (70% of Earth’s surface area consists of oceans, with no one living on them, and during the day time, meteors cannot usually be seen). Ask the students why they are referred to as shooting stars. read more