meteor shower

Also meteoric shower

noun

Astronomy.

1. the profusion of meteors observed when the earth passes through a meteor swarm.

meteor shower

noun

1. a transient rain of meteors, such as the Perseids, occurring at regular intervals and coming from a particular region in the sky. It is caused by the earth passing through a large number of meteoroids (a meteor swarm )

meteor shower

1. A brief period of heightened meteor activity, often occurring regularly in a particular part of the sky at a particular time of year. Meteor showers are generally named after the constellation in which they appear to originate; thus the Perseids appear to originate in the constellation Perseus and the Leonids in the constellation Leo. The showers occur when the Earth passes through a region having a greater than usual concentration of interplanetary debris, such as particles left by a disintegrating comet, at certain points in its orbit. Although the meteors enter the Earth's atmosphere on parallel trajectories, perspective makes it appear as if they originate from the same point in the sky, known as the radiant.

Word History and Origins

Origin of meteor shower¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The Royal Astronomical Society said it would be closest to the sun on Tuesday and coincided with the annual Orionid meteor shower, which is likely to be visible until 7 November.

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Each fall, the Taurid meteor shower brightens the night sky from late October through early November.

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If you miss it, there are other meteor showers later this year that you can also view from near L.A.

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The Orionid meteor shower happens 60 miles up in space and is thought to be one of the most impressive displays of the celestial calendar.

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In 2025, the meteor shower coincides with the full Harvest Moon which rose on the night of the 7 October.

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