What causes a "falling star"?

At certain times of year, you are likely to see a great number of meteors in the night sky. These events are called meteor showers and they occur when the ... http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question12.html - 8k

StarChild: Meteoroids

This is called a meteor. If you have ever seen a "falling star", you were actually seeing a meteor. ... A meteor is called a "falling star" as it falls to Earth. ... http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/meteoroids.html - 7k

Why does the United States spend so much money on satellites?

of Mars is indicated by the lack of impact craters--formed by meteors--these features. ... The dune field has no small meteor impact craters on it, so it, like the ... http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question23.html - 9k

John Couch Adams

Another contribution that Adams made to the world of astronomy involved the Leonid meteor shower. Adams studied the Leonid meteor ... http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/whos_who_level1/adams.html - 7k

What causes fireballs in the sky?

Fireballs are really just big meteors - the result of meteoroids falling into the Earth's atmosphere and burning up. ... Fireballs and meteors are common events. ... http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question56.html - 5k

StarChild: Answer to the Meteoroids Question

A meteoroid heats up as it falls through the Earth's atmosphere. As it heats up, it glows. This is known as a meteor, or a "falling star". ... http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/meteoroids_answer.html - 4k