what are they and where do they come from.
2007-01-05 08:39:25 · 8 answers · asked by L.R.O. 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
they are debris from space, only really small bits though, there are specific times of year when you are more likely to see them, for instance when the earth passes through the trail of a comet. these yearly storms are often named after the constellations they appear to come from, or the comet that left the debris.
larger shooting stars are called bolides, these can fragment on entering the earths atmosphere and create spectacular displays, although they are very rare.
i always make a wish when i see a shooting star, I'm quite a keen astrophotographer as well, the best time to photograph shooting stars is early morning, just before sunrise, when the earths rotation is such that you are travelling towards the leading edge, and thus more likely to see debris.
hope this helps, and if you have been making wishes i hope they came true!
charlie
2007-01-05 08:49:48 · answer #1 · answered by peppypop 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dust and small rocks floating around in space that get pulled in by the earth's gravity and burn up in the atmosphere because of the heat that's generated when they hit at high speeds.
2007-01-05 08:41:44 · answer #2 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Meteors, flying around
2007-01-05 08:52:44 · answer #3 · answered by Manuel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dreams dying in the harsh air of reality...
2007-01-05 08:54:01 · answer #4 · answered by Legend 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
meteors that break up in the earth's atmosphere - from Space!
2007-01-05 08:40:51 · answer #5 · answered by button_mushroom_x 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are actually cats that have been set on fire and shot out of a big gun somewhere here in Wiltshire.... its one of our greatest traditions!
2007-01-05 08:42:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
they are pieces of rocks and ice that hit the atmosphere and burn up
http://www.ottawa.rasc.ca/kid_space/activities/young_observers/1999_august/shooting_stars.html
2007-01-05 08:44:09 · answer #7 · answered by cinnamonscentedbear 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, they are dogs, not cats.
2007-01-05 08:46:09 · answer #8 · answered by Humpy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋