Q40 of 50 Page 17

Why are meteors commonly called shooting stars?

When the meteors enter the atmosphere of the earth at high speeds, these are heated up. The heat produced is so high and the meteors start glowing and eventually evaporate within a short time. The glowing meteor bursts leaving behind a streak of light. The meteors are, therefore, called shooting stars.

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38 Why does the tail of a comet always point away from sun? 39 Explain why the number of meteors striking the moon’s surface is quite large whereas very few reach the earth’s surface? 41 Name the two planets between which lie the orbits of asteroids. 42 Name the bodies of the solar system that have failed to assemble into a planet.