Meteor showers are the result of debris left behind by the passage of a decaying comet.

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Meteor showers occur when Earth's orbit intersects with the debris left behind by a comet, resulting in the streaks of light (meteors) that we see in the sky. This debris can come from both active comets and ones that have already broken up or disintegrated, which is why they are often referred to as "shooting stars." Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through the debris trail left by a comet as it orbits the sun. As Earth moves through the debris, the particles enter the atmosphere and burn up, creating the streaks of light we see as meteors.

Meteor Showers Are the Result of Debris Left Behind by the Passage