Météorics

Météorics is a term used to describe phenomena related to meteors. A meteor is the streak of light produced when a meteoroid, a small rocky or metallic body from outer space, enters the Earth's atmosphere and vaporizes. This vaporization is caused by friction with the air, which heats the meteoroid to incandescence. The bright streak observed is often referred to as a "shooting star," though it has no connection to stars.

The size of meteoroids varies greatly, from tiny dust grains to objects several meters in diameter. Most meteors are caused by particles no larger than a pebble. Larger objects that survive their passage through the atmosphere and land on the Earth's surface are called meteorites.

Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by a comet or asteroid. During a meteor shower, many meteors appear to radiate from a single point in the sky, known as the radiant. Famous meteor showers include the Perseids, which occur in August, and the Leonids, which are active in November. The study of meteors and meteorites is part of the field of astronomy and planetary science, providing insights into the composition and history of the solar system.