Meteors

Meteors, also known as shooting stars, are pieces of dust and debris from space that burn up in Earth's atmosphere, where they can create bright streaks across the night sky. When Earth passes through the dusty trail of a comet or asteroid's orbit, the many streaks of light in the sky are known as a meteor shower. Particularly large chunks of material can create an extra-bright fireball streak, but most meteors are still small enough to entirely burn up in Earth's atmosphere. If a meteor makes it to Earth it's known as a meteorite. Before they hit atmosphere the objects are called meteoroids. 

Related Topics: Asteroids, Aurora Borealis, Comets 

Latest Updates

The Geminid meteor shower is named after the constellation Gemini, the twins, from which the meteors appear to originate.

The Geminid meteor shower peaks tonight! Here's how to watch online.

By Samantha Mathewson last updated

The Geminid meteor shower will reach its peak tonight (Dec. 13), and you can watch the annual starry night display live online via NASA's Meteor Watch Facebook page.

A view of the sky over Cape Vyatlina on Russky Island, Russia, during the peak of the 2021 Geminid meteor shower.

See stunning pictures of the Geminid meteor shower of 2021

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

The meteor shower was at its peak Monday (Dec. 13), but you can still catch a good sky show for a few days.

Geminid Shower

December Lights: 6 Super Facts for the Geminid Meteor Shower

By Sarah Lewin last updated

Get your winter coats ready for the Geminid meteor shower, the bright mid-December light show that's one of the best of the year.

A Geminid seen above a lighthouse in Vladivostok, Russia, in December 2018.

The Geminids peak next week! Here's how to spot them despite the bright moon.

By Joe Rao last updated

The December Geminid meteor shower is usually considered the most satisfying of the annual meteor displays, but this year, the moon will put a damper on the spectacle.

2012 Geminid Meteors Over Norway

Brilliant Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight

By Mike Wall last updated

Viewers with dark skies may see 100 or more meteors per hour.

Artist's illustration of a meteor shower.

A meteor shower outburst from a shattered comet may spawn new tau Herculids display on May 30

By Joe Rao last updated

The tau Herculids from comet 73P/Schwassman-Wachmann which began to fragment in 1995 may make an appearance on the night of May 30-31.

2012 Geminid Meteor Over Texas

Stunning Geminid Meteor Shower Wows Skywatchers: Photos

By Mike Wall last updated

The Geminids did not disappoint last night, judging by the reactions of some SPACE.com readers.

Geminid Meteor Shower 2013 Sky Map

Moon May Outshine Geminid Meteor Shower Peak This Week

By Joe Rao last updated

This week marks the peak of what is usually considered the most satisfying of all annual meteor displays: the Geminid meteor shower.

Photographer Jeffrey Berkes took the image of the Quadrantid meteor shower over the Florida Keys in 2012.

The Quadrantid meteor shower of 2022 peaks today!

By Joe Rao last updated

Of the ten biggest annual meteor showers, just two could produce over 100 per hour: the December Geminids and the January Quadrantids, due to peak this Monday (Jan. 3).

2009 Geminid Meteor

A 'Gem' of a Meteor Shower Is Coming up Next Week

By Joe Rao last updated

Look up in the night sky next week for a sight of some amazing meteors.

Geminid meteor shower

Wow! Geminid Meteor Shower and Comet 46P Dazzle Skywatchers (Photos)

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

This image captured by NASA's Parker Solar Probe highlights the location of the very faint dust trail observed following the asteroid Phaethon's orbit.

Geminid Meteor Shower's Parent Debris Trail Spotted for 1st Time (Photo)

By Mike Wall last updated

NASA's record-breaking Parker Solar Probe has given us a new perspective on the famous Geminid meteor shower, which peaks this weekend.

Geminid meteor shower occurring above a large lake surrounded by hills. The shooting stars streak across a star-studded sky.

Meteor showers and shooting stars: Formation and history

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through a trail of dust from asteroids or comets, the dust burns up in Earth's atmosphere resulting in shooting stars.

Photographer Timothy Wenzel created this composite of six Lyrid meteor photos he captured from Midland, Michigan, in the early morning hours of April 22, 2020.

The 2020 Lyrid meteor shower thrills skywatchers. Here are the best photos.

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

The annual Lyrid meteor shower put on an exceptional show for skywatchers this year, with the new moon setting the stage for gorgeous "shooting stars" to prance across the dark night sky.

Astrophotographer Jeff Berkes captured this Lyrid meteor in the marshlands of southern Maryland on April 14, 2013. The 2020 Lyrid meteor shower will peak overnight on April 21-22, 2020.

Lyrid meteor shower 2020 peaks this week! Here's what to expect.

By Joe Rao last updated

The 2020 Lyrid meteor shower this week coincides with the new moon, meaning that there will be absolutely no lunar interference with getting a good view of these celestial streakers.

The 2021 Lyrids above the Yosemite National Park in the U.S.

The Lyrid meteor shower peaks this week after 'shooting star' drought

By Joe Rao last updated

Skywatchers will finally be able to enjoy the thrill of observing "shooting stars" again this week as the April Lyrids shower arrives after a three-month-long meteor drought.

A bright Taurid meteor descends across a sky featuring a glowing aurora over Lake Simcoe on Nov. 9, 2015

Don't miss the brilliant Taurid meteor shower next week

By Joe Rao published

During a one-week time frame extending from Nov. 5th through Nov. 12, the Taurid meteor shower will be most active.

a dark hole gaping in reddish brown surface with weak white patches around it

NASA's ailing Mars lander feels shockwaves from ice-blasting meteoroid impact

By Meghan Bartels published

Christmas came one day early for a robotic geologist stationed on the Red Planet.

An illustration of the night sky on Oct. 21 showing the Orionid meteor shower originating from the Orion constellation.

Don't miss the Orionid meteor shower peak tonight (Oct. 21)

By Brett Tingley last updated

The Orionid meteor shower peaks overnight tonight (Oct. 21), so get outside and see some fireballs streak through the atmosphere.

A photo of an Orionid meteor over the ocean on Oct. 21, 2022 at Jekyll Island, GA

The 2022 Orionid meteor shower put on a show for skywatchers around the world (gallery)

By Brett Tingley last updated

The Orionid meteor shower lit up the skies around the world in 2022, and luckily many of our readers were able to catch wonderful images of the "shooting stars."