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meteor 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 )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.
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Word History and Origins

Origin of meteor shower1

First recorded in 1875–80
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

We have had some wonderful celestial events this spring with two consecutive nights of Northern Lights sightings over the last week and there is more to come with the Lyrid meteor shower.

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Shooting stars will usher in Earth Day starting late Monday night as the Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak — and Californians will have some of the best views in the country.

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We've seen meteor showers, Northern Lights, two full Moons and more recently the incredible planetary parade.

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Spring is shaping up to be a great time for skygazers with the opportunity to see aurora, meteor showers and both a lunar and solar eclipse this year.

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Stargazers may also be able to spot shooting stars blazing across the skies, as the Quadrantid meteor shower continues.

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meteorologymeteor swarm