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Pattielli
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Would you please tell me why they are called falling stars ? Is it just because they are actracted by gravity force and fall into our planet ? Why do they fall mostly in oceans and deserts ?
Thanks
Thanks
stjärnfall
jcsd said:i'm from the UK, I think 'falling star' must be an Americanism.
Falling stars, also known as meteors, are small pieces of debris from space that enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up, creating a bright streak of light across the sky.
Falling stars are formed when small pieces of rock, dust, or ice from comets or asteroids collide with Earth's atmosphere, causing friction and heat that vaporizes the debris and creates a glowing trail in the sky.
Despite their name, falling stars are not actually falling. They are moving extremely fast through space and only appear to be falling due to the Earth's rotation.
Most falling stars are small and burn up completely in the atmosphere, so they do not pose a threat to humans or structures on the ground. However, larger meteors can cause damage if they make it to the Earth's surface.
Yes, falling stars and shooting stars are different names for the same phenomenon. They are both created by meteors entering Earth's atmosphere and burning up, but shooting stars is a more common term used in everyday language.