When you see a shooting star, you are actually witnessing a phenomenon called a meteor. Here's what happens when you see a shooting star:
Meteoroid Entry: A shooting star, or meteor, is caused by a small particle called a meteoroid entering the Earth's atmosphere. Meteoroids are typically debris left behind by comets or asteroids.
Atmospheric Friction: As the meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it travels at high speeds, typically tens of kilometers per second. The friction between the meteoroid and the air molecules in the atmosphere causes the surrounding air to heat up rapidly.
Incandescent Trail: The rapid heating of the air around the meteoroid creates a glowing trail of superheated and ionized gas. This incandescent trail is what you see as a streak of light across the sky. The trail can be different colors, usually white or yellow, but occasionally green, blue, or even red.
Disintegration: Most meteoroids are relatively small, ranging from the size of a grain of sand to a few meters in diameter. Due to the intense heat and pressure caused by atmospheric entry, these meteoroids often disintegrate or vaporize completely before reaching the Earth's surface. This disintegration releases a burst of energy, adding to the brightness of the shooting star.
Duration and Speed: The duration of a shooting star can vary, typically lasting only a few seconds. The speed at which it appears to move across the sky can be quite fast, ranging from a few kilometers per second to over 70 kilometers per second.
Wishing Tradition: Observing a shooting star has been associated with a popular tradition of making a wish. It is believed that if you make a wish when you see a shooting star and it disappears before you finish your wish, it may come true.
It's important to note that shooting stars are relatively common, with thousands of meteors entering the Earth's atmosphere each day. However, they are often more visible during meteor showers, which occur when the Earth passes through a debris trail left by a comet or asteroid. During meteor showers, the frequency of shooting stars increases, providing better opportunities for observation.