Meteor Day is June 30!

A meteoroid is a space rock that enters the Earth’s atmosphere. It is the remains of a larger space object like a comet or asteroid. They look like earth rocks but are different in what is in them because most meteorites are made from metal. Once the meteoroid lands on Earth, we call it a meteorite.

Meteor showers are when we see many meteors entering the Earth’s atmosphere in the same place. These events can happen once while other meteor showers can be seen around the same time each year.

Meteoroids often break up when entering the Earth’s atmosphere because they are traveling at a very high rate of speed. People find pieces of meteors all over the world, which are as small as dimes to your hand’s palm! NASA says that more than 50,000 meteorites have been found on Earth. In 1954, the first known case of an extraterrestrial object injuring a human in the United States was recorded from Sylacauga, Alabama, when an 8-pound meteorite crashed through the roof of a woman’s home.

Meteorites are interesting because they tell scientists about what was happening in space long ago. Ancient meteoroid craters on Earth have been erased over time, but we can still see these types of craters on the Moon!

Want to know when the next meteor shower is coming your way? You can check out websites like the American Meteor Society or Earth and Sky. However, if a meteor shower is not happening at the moment, remember, you can see ancient meteorite craters on the MOON! 

The Homewood Public Library has all your space exploring needs! We have books about space, the Moon, and TELESCOPES! Don’t forget to come by and check one out today!

Sky Gazing : a guide to the moon, sun, planets, stars, eclipses, constellations by Thacher, Meg

 In Sky Gazing, a highly visual guide to observing the sky with the naked eye (ages 9–14). We will delve into the science behind what they see, whether they live in a dark rural setting or under the bright lights of the city. Exploring astronomical objects and phenomena, this captivating book takes young readers on a tour of our solar system and deep space beyond, with explanations of how objects like Earth’s moon were formed and the “why” behind phenomena such as eclipses, northern lights, and meteor showers. Curious sky gazers will discover how to find and observe planets — no binoculars or telescopes required! — and star charts will guide them in spotting constellations throughout the seasons and in both hemispheres while they learn about constellation myths from cultures around the world. 

Explore Comets and Asteroids by Yasuda, Anita

Learning about comets and asteroids means asking lots of questions. Could we live and work on asteroids? Why do we only occasionally see comets? Kids find the answers and more through hands-on projects and experiments that encourage them to be curious about how and why things work. Activities range from mapping the positions of celestial objects to designing spacecraft for asteroid missions.

Astronomy : a visual guide by Ridpath, Ian

ake a look through the lens and discover the beauty and science of the magnificent world that is our night sky – and beyond.

From the 150km- (93 mile-) -wide impact craters on the Moon to Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, a swirling storm that started in the 1600s, learn all about the history of astronomy. Find out about astronomical phenomena and take a visual tour of the Solar System, complete with stunning photography of the planets. This easy-to-follow book also makes use of clear graphics and annotations to explain the science behind the wonders of the sky.

Facts from space! : from super-secret spacecraft to volcanoes in outer space, extraterrestrial facts to blow your mind! by Regas, Dean

A guided tour through the universe–and beyond!
From the sun’s super-hot core to the many moons of Neptune, we’re traveling to the far reaches of our solar system and beyond! Astronomer Dean Regas presents Facts from Space!–an exciting education on everything outside our atmosphere. Inside, you’ll discover space facts and celestial trivia

DVD/Streaming

Meteor Strike (PBS/NOVA)

On the morning of February 15, 2013, a 7,000-ton asteroid crashed into the Earth’s atmosphere, exploded, and fell to the ground across a wide swath near the Ural Mountains in Russia. According to NASA, the Siberian meteor exploded with the power of 30 Hiroshima bombs and was the largest object to burst in the atmosphere since the Tunguska event of 1908 – another impact in Siberia that left few eyewitnesses or clues. This time, the event was captured by digital dashboard cameras, now common in Russian autos and trucks. Within days, NOVA crews joined impact scientists in Russia as they hunted for clues about the meteor’s origin and makeup.

Space : the final frontier

Our solar system is an awe-inspiring place with planets, moons and more; but beyond that is the galaxy we inhabit and beyond that the universe with billions upon billions of additional galaxies. Wouldn’t it be nice to blast off into this great unknown and get an up-close view of the wonders waiting for us in outer space? Well now you can with Space: The Final Frontier. While curled up on the couch, you will fly past the Moon, Jupiter and Mars to discover a beautiful universe full of wonder. Fly through colourful nebula; watch as a new star is born; race meteors and asteroid belts and stare into the vast expanse of existence as never before. Beautiful music accompanies your star trek through the universe, making it an ideal film for relaxation. Let your mind and soul wander through the awe-inspiring universe.