10 things you probably didn't know about shooting stars
They are actually called meteors
Last updated 5th Aug 2020
August is the month that stargazers look forward to when it comes to meteors, or shooting stars as they are commonly known. The Perseids are generally the best meteor shower of the year with up to 100 in an hour sometimes. The peak of the Perseid meteor shower is expected on the 12th August, however they are visible from now until 24th August.
As with all meteor showers darker skies will obviously help, however as some areas still have lockdown restrictions, why not stay at home, grab a coat and open a window or step out into your garden away from artificial light.
Do not use binoculars or a telescope, meteor showers should be observed with the naked eye because they're so quick!
Now take a look at things you probably didn't know about shooting stars:
1. They aren't actually stars
Despite their commonly used name 'shooting star' they are not a star at all, they are in fact small particles of dust and space rocks.
2. They're not comets either
Many people get confused between comets and meteors. Meteors are pieces of dust and fragments from a comet that become the meteoroids which enter the Earth's atmosphere.
3. Their technical names are: meteoroid / meteor / meteorite
Technically the meteoroid is the lump of rock or dust, the meteor is the flash of light that you can see and the meteorite is what hits the ground (if it survives).
4. The best meteor shower is called the Perseids
The Perseids, which peak on the 12th August every year, consistently give stargazers a fantastic display of meteors. Usually observers can expect around 50 meteors an hour, however in 1993 stargazers were treated with up to 500 meteors an hour!
Imagine that! ðŸŒ
5. They are named after constellations
Meteor showers are named after the area of the sky they appear to come from, for example the Lyrids look like they're coming from Lyra (the lyre) constellation, while the Perseids appear to come from Perseus.
6. They are incredibly fast
Meteors are incredibly fast and have been observed travelling at 25,000 mph to 160,000 mph.
7. Particles hit us every day
Every day, millions of particles of dust hit our atmosphere, but a lot of them are too small for us to see.
8. The rocks are very old
Studies show that those meteoroids that hit the Earth (and become meteorites) contain some of the oldest known rocks in the Solar System. Many of those are from Mars.
9. Meteorite death
Sadly in 2016 a taxi driver in India was killed when he was hit by something from the sky. It is believed that he was killed by a meteorite as it left a four-foot crater behind. If it was a meteorite that killed him then it would be the first time in two centuries since this has happened.
10. NATO used their trails for communication
Many years ago, NATO used the ionised trails from meteoroids to establish communication paths between radio stations.
Now take a look at when and how to see the Lyrid meteor shower:
1. Dark sky
You might not realise how much light pollution there is in your neighbourhood, find out more about light pollution and where you can find a really dark sky here.
Allow your eyes 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Don't forget that the moon can also interfere so try to avoid times when it is visible.
2. Date and time
To increase your chances of seeing some meteors make sure you find out the best time to look for them. Often it is when the sky is at its darkest (in the middle of the night), or if there is a meteor shower, when the radiant (where the meteors come from - the constellation Leo) is high in the sky.
3. Look in the right area
It sounds obvious, but the sky is a very large area and meteors are very fast! Make sure you know which area of the sky you should be looking in. The Leonids come from Leo, the easiest way to find it would be to use a free sky map app on your phone. We've also included a video at the bottom of this page to help you find it.
4. Good weather
Again, it seems obvious, but there's no point in standing in the cold when it's cloudy. Check the weather forecast before going outside, and if it's going to be clear later on then wait until then if you can.
5. Don't use a telescope or binoculars
Using a telescope or binoculars will DECREASE your chances of seeing a meteor. Meteors are so quick that you are likely to miss them if you don't use the naked eye. Save your telescope or binoculars for the moon or planets.
Good luck stargazing, don't forget to wrap up warm and remember to follow social distancing rules.