What phenomenon is commonly referred to as a "shooting star" or "falling star"?

Answer

A meteor

The term 'falling star' is a common linguistic shortcut used colloquially, but it refers specifically to meteors, not the actual fixed stars visible in the night sky. Meteors are tiny fragments of rock or dust, often originating from asteroids or comets. When these small particles enter Earth's atmosphere at extremely high velocities, the friction caused by slamming into atmospheric gases generates intense heat, making them glow brightly. This process creates the bright, fast streak of light observed, leading to the mistaken impression that a massive star is falling. These events are entirely atmospheric, occurring relatively close to the planet's surface, and they typically vaporize before reaching the ground, making them a temporary, local phenomenon completely distinct from the remote, massive stars.

What phenomenon is commonly referred to as a "shooting star" or "falling star"?

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