Meteors and Meteorites: Shooting Stars Explained

When tiny bits of space debris hit Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, they heat the air around them and create a bright streak—this is a meteor. Most meteors are caused by grains no bigger than sand. They burn up high above the ground.

If a larger piece survives the fall and lands on Earth, it becomes a meteorite. Meteorites are valuable to science because they are physical samples of space.

Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through debris left behind by comets (and sometimes asteroids). During a good shower, you can lie back, look up, and catch dozens of meteors per hour—no telescope needed.