Amazing Space

Have you ever seen a meteor shower? When people see them, they are so excited to witness the stars dancing across the sky. It gives them such a sense of wonder and awe. It is truly amazing.

Because meteor shower particles all travel in parallel paths at the same velocity, they all appear to radiate away from a single point among the constellations. This is caused by the effect of perspective.

This "fixed point" slowly moves across the sky during the night due to the Earth turning on its axis, the same reason the stars appear to slowly march across the sky. The radiant drift also moves slightly from night to night against the background stars due to the Earth moving in its orbit around the sun.

A meteor shower is the result of an interaction between a planet and a comet. Comets are comprised of ice and rock, orbiting the Sun. Each time a comet swings by the Sun in its orbit, some of its ice melts and it sheds debris. As the debris streams from the comet, it forms the comet's visible tail. The rest is a feast for your eyes.

Today make someone turn on their axis. Be their orbit, their moon, their stars, their meteor. Make their day. Be awe-inspiring. Be amazing.