Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars

Science? Magic? Both?

What is a Shooting Star?

A "shooting" star or "falling" star is actually not a star. The appearance of a falling star is caused by chunks of dust and rock falling into the Earth's atmosphere and burning up. These are called meteoroids. The trail of light that we see in the night sky are commonly called "shooting stars." If a meteoroid were to survive the fall to Earth and hit the Earth's surface, it is then called a meteor. 

During certain times of the year, there are several meteors in the sky. These events are called meteor showers, which happens when the Earth passes through the trail of debris left by a comet as it orbits the Sun. Typically, meteors are smaller than a grain of sand, so they disintegrate and usually do not hit the Earth's surface. Intense or unusual meteor showers are known as meteor storms, which can produce more than 1000 meteors an hour. Meteor showers are named based on the constellation of stars present in the sky from which they appear to originate. Although meteoroids do not originate from the constellations or any of the stars in the constellations, they are named after stars to uphold the term "shooting star." Also, associating the shower name with the region of the sky they come from helps for further investigation when seeking out a shooting star.





Myths about Shooting Stars

Stories have it that shooting stars posses magic and symbolize good luck. Wishing upon one or even seeing one, has been said to grant you good luck. This superstition dates back to around AD 127-151 when Greek astronomer Ptolemy wrote that occasionally, out of curiosity or boredom, the Gods peer down at the Earth from between the spheres. He said while this happens, stars sometimes slip out of this gap and plummet towards the Earth. From this, shooting stars can be seen as an indication that the Gods are paying attention to your wishes and prayers.

Other cultures believe that fallen stars represent souls that have been released from purgatory and are beginning the journey to heaven and peace. On the other hand, some say a shooting star can represent the soul of a new baby falling to Earth, ready to begin a new life. 

Another recognized belief is that even regular stars can bring luck to you, as well, according to folklore. One story found, the first star that shines in the night sky possesses special magic and if you settle your gaze on the first star that appears after dark and make a wish, it will come true. In other cultures, you must recite the "Star Light, Star Bright" nursery rhyme as you focus on your wish and it come true. 

Although there are several myths and magical explanations to shooting stars, unfortunately, there is no real proof or factual evidence published anywhere (at least that I could find) that says meteoroids falling to the Earth have the power to grants our wishes or makes any magical predictions.

                                     

Works Cited:

“Meteor Shower.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Feb. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteor_shower.

Staff, SPACE.com. “Meteor Showers and Shooting Stars: Formation, Facts and Discovery.” Space.com, www.space.com/15353-meteor-showers-facts-shooting-stars-skywatching-sdcmp.html.

“StarChild Question of the Month for August 1999.” NASA, NASA, starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question12.html.

Turner, Bambi. “10 Superstitions About Stars.” HowStuffWorks Science, HowStuffWorks, 30 Jan. 2017, science.howstuffworks.com/10-superstitions-about-stars1.htm.