Meteors as a research area encompass the study of meteoroids entering planetary atmospheres, their ablation, light emission, plasma formation, and resulting ionization trails. This field integrates observational techniques (optical, radar, infrasound), modeling of atmospheric entry dynamics, and analysis of meteoroid composition and flux. Research addresses energy transfer to the atmosphere, fragmentation processes, and the contribution of meteoric input to upper-atmospheric chemistry and dust populations. It also includes characterization of meteor showers linked to parent bodies (comets, asteroids), constraints on small body populations in the Solar System, and assessment of impact hazards from larger bolides and airbursts.
Hundreds of people reported seeing a fireball over several western U.S. states, especially over Utah, where it was exceptionally large, bright and green.
Space Exploration
May 6, 2025
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274
Space junk and meteoroids are falling to Earth every year, posing a growing risk as they re-enter the atmosphere at high speeds. Researchers are using infrasound sensors to track these objects, including bolides, which are ...
Planetary Sciences
May 2, 2025
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69
Halley's comet swings near Earth every 75 years. But debris left by the comet leads to two major meteor showers every year including the Eta Aquarids.
Space Exploration
May 2, 2025
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86
When the Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak, it will be spring's first chance to see shooting stars.
Space Exploration
Apr 18, 2025
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51
Why do comets and their meteoroid streams weave in and out of Earth's orbit and their orbits disperse over time? In a paper published in the journal Icarus, two SETI Institute researchers show that this is not due to the ...
Astronomy
Apr 16, 2025
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87
Our home planet is bombarded with particles from outer space all the time. And while we are mostly familiar with the rocky meteorites originating from within our solar system that create fascinating shooting stars in the ...
Astronomy
Jan 29, 2025
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91
Sometimes, it's hard to remember that Earth is constantly being bombarded by literally tons of space debris daily. The larger bits form what we know as shooting stars, and most burn up in the atmosphere. Still, throughout ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 2, 2025
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70
When the Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on Friday, it will be the year's first chance to see fireballs in the sky.
Space Exploration
Jan 1, 2025
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51
The last meteor shower of the year—the Ursids—peaks Sunday, a few days before Christmas.
Space Exploration
Dec 18, 2024
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25
The Geminids—among the few major meteor showers to come from asteroids—peak on Friday. It's one of the year's last chances to see fireballs in the sky.
Space Exploration
Dec 14, 2024
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