meteor shower

Also meteoric 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 )

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of meteor shower¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Krupp said the observatory was inundated with questions about how to view the Perseid meteor shower, which peaked overnight and early Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Stargazers will soon be treated to what could be one of the year's most dazzling displays, with the Perseid meteor shower reaching its peak on Tuesday night.

From BBC

Stargazers in the UK can look forward to a spectacular celestial treat over the next five weeks as the Perseid meteor shower streaks across the night sky.

From BBC

The June Bootid meteor shower will be active from 22 June until 2 July, peaking on the 27 June.

From BBC

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.

From BBC