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The particles causing the appearance of a meteor are an interesting class of astronomical objects. The name given to them actually changes depending on where they are. While moving through space, the particles are referred to as meteoroids. When they enter Earth's atmosphere they are referred to as meteors. If they happen to be large enough to hit the surface of Earth they are referred to as meteorites.
Although there are meteoroids that are orbiting the sun alone, there are other meteoroids that are traveling in a cloud of meteoroids. This later group is moving within the orbit of a comet or an extinct comet. Astronomers discovered back in the 19th century that comets shed particles every time they passed close to the sun. There are some comets whose orbits are located very close to the orbit of Earth and, at certain times each year, Earth passes through a cloud of particles, which results in a meteor shower.
Meteor showers are given names that are derived from the constellations they appear to radiant from. One of the most famous meteor showers is the Perseid shower of August. Peaking on the night of August 12/13, the Perseids usually produce rates of between 40 to 60 per hour for most observers. Observers with better eyes and ideal observing conditions (i.e., no light pollution and very clear skies) have reported seeing between 80 and 100 per hour. Other strong meteor showers that are visible every year are the Quadrantids, Eta Aquarids, Orionids, and Geminids.
Anyone waiting for meteor??
I wish to have a chance to watch =C