Origin and Formation
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through debris trails left by comets or asteroids. As these parent bodies orbit the Sun, they shed particles of rock and dust. When Earth intersects these debris streams, the particles enter our atmosphere at high speeds, typically 25,000-160,000 mph. The resulting friction creates bright streaks of light we see as "shooting stars."
Peak Activity Patterns
Each major meteor shower has predictable peak times based on Earth's annual orbit through specific debris fields. The number of visible meteors varies from 10-100 per hour during peak activity. Viewing conditions depend on factors including moon phase, weather, and light pollution. Some famous showers like the Perseids and Geminids reliably produce spectacular displays each year.
Observation Characteristics
Meteors appear to radiate from specific points in the sky, called radiants, named after nearby constellations. Most visible meteors are tiny, sand-sized particles burning up 50-75 miles above Earth's surface. Different debris compositions create varying colors: sodium produces yellow, iron creates yellow-green, and calcium generates purple streaks.Shutdown123