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Astronomy & Space vocabulary · The Night Sky & Measurement

Meteor shower

Meaning in astronomy & space, with examples

nounCore term

In astronomy & space, meteor shower means: A period when many meteors seem to come from the same point in the sky, as Earth passes through dust left by a comet or an asteroid. Showers return on the same dates every year.

In Turkish: meteor yağmuru, göktaşı yağmuru

How it is used

Showers are named after the constellation they seem to come from: the Perseids in August and the Geminids in December are the best known. News stories give the 'peak' night and the expected number of meteors per hour.

Example sentences

  1. The Perseid meteor shower peaks around 12 August.

  2. To enjoy the meteor shower, lie back on a blanket and let your eyes adapt to the dark.

Common collocations

  • annual meteor shower
  • the peak of the meteor shower
  • watch a meteor shower
  • Perseid meteor shower
  • meteorThe bright streak of light seen when a small piece of rock or dust from space burns up in Earth's atmosphere. The piece itself is called a meteoroid.
  • cometA small icy body that orbits the Sun. When it comes close to the Sun, its ice turns to gas and forms a glowing cloud and often long tails.
  • constellationA group of stars that forms a recognisable pattern in the sky, and the area of sky around it. Astronomers officially recognise 88 constellations.
  • light pollutionToo much artificial light at night from streetlights, buildings and signs, which brightens the sky and hides faint stars and galaxies.

More terms: The Night Sky & Measurement

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