meteoreista

Meteoreista is a term used to describe a researcher or enthusiast who studies meteors and related atmospheric phenomena. In practice, the field encompasses the observation and analysis of luminous meteor events, the physical processes by which meteoroids ablate and fragment in the atmosphere, and the origin and dynamics of meteor showers. The term is formed from meteor with the -ista suffix and is more common in some languages than in formal English literature, where phrases like meteor astronomer or meteoriticist are used.

Key topics include the entry of small bodies into Earth's atmosphere, ablation physics, optical and radar detection of meteors, determination of meteoroid composition through spectroscopy, and the orbital dynamics that link meteor streams to their parent comets. Research often aims to quantify meteor activity, model shower predictions, and study the interplanetary environment that delivers meteoroids to Earth.

Common methods and tools include all-sky and high-sensitivity cameras to capture meteor trails, video networks and radar to detect faint events, spectrographs to assess composition, and numerical simulations of trajectories and ablation. Data are integrated with atmospheric models to understand ionization, light production, and energy deposition in the upper atmosphere.

Education and career paths typically involve degrees in astronomy, physics, or planetary science. Meteoreistas may work in academic institutions, astronomical observatories, space agencies, or museums, and can contribute as researchers, teachers, or citizen-science coordinators. The field overlaps with meteoritics, atmospheric physics, and planetary science, and collaboration across international networks is common for shower monitoring and data sharing.