meteor showers
Sky's falling stars
Meteor showers are celestial events when numerous meteors appear to radiate from a single point in the night sky, caused by Earth passing through debris left by a comet.
They occur predictably each year—the Perseids in August, the Leonids in November—and are named for the constellation from which they seem to originate: We drove out to the desert to watch the meteor shower.
Observing celestial bodies
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- binocularsHandheld dual-lens magnifier
- naked eyeVision without optical instruments
- observatoryFacility for celestial study
constellation · radiant · zenith · horizon · moonless night · light pollution · midnight · predawn
Microscopic particles pervading space
- debris trailLine of scattered fragments
- orbital pathCurved route around something
- predictableAble to be foreseen
Burning debris in atmosphere
- fireballLuminous meteor or explosion
- bolideDetonating meteor, very bright
- streakUnbroken series
- glowSteady, soft light
burn up · disintegration · ionization · magnitude · velocity · friction · airburst · incandescent
Expressing a hope
- shooting star wishHope made on meteor
- good omenFavorable sign of future
- portentSign of future calamity
- superstitionBaseless belief in omens
legend · mythology · folklore · ancient beliefs · star lore · prophecy · auspicious · lucky
Overwhelmingly bright or impressive
- breathtakingAstonishingly beautiful or exciting
- awe-inspiringEvoking reverential wonder
- wondrousInspiring deep awe
- magnificentExceptionally beautiful or impressive
stunning · brilliant · dramatic · light show · display · panorama · once-in-a-lifetime · outburst
stargazing
Observing celestial bodies
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- binocularsHandheld dual-lens magnifier
- naked eyeVision without optical instruments
observatory · constellation · radiant · zenith · horizon · moonless night · light pollution · midnight · predawn · blanket
cosmic dust
Microscopic particles pervading space
- debris trailLine of scattered fragments
- orbital pathCurved route around something
- predictableAble to be foreseen
shooting star
Burning debris in atmosphere
glow · burn up · disintegration · ionization · magnitude · velocity · friction · airburst · incandescent · vaporization
wish making
Expressing a hope
- shooting star wishHope made on meteor
- good omenFavorable sign of future
- portentSign of future calamity
superstition · legend · mythology · folklore · ancient beliefs · star lore · prophecy · auspicious · lucky · romantic
dazzling
Overwhelmingly bright or impressive
- breathtakingAstonishingly beautiful or exciting
- awe-inspiringEvoking reverential wonder
- wondrousInspiring deep awe
magnificent · stunning · brilliant · dramatic · light show · display · panorama · once-in-a-lifetime · outburst · storm
- astronomy topicsplanetary science, planetary orbits, solar eclipses, lunar phases, Mars exploration
- celestial themescelestial navigation, sun worship, lunar cycles, night sky, heavens
- night skystars, moon, constellations, shooting stars, constellation
- skyclouds, blue sky, cloud, sun, moon
- space termsmoon, star, planet, rocket, satellite
- stargazingtelescope, stargazing guides, night sky, stars, constellation