Most experts predict 1000 or more meteors per hour during the peak. Meteors are sometimes called shooting stars, but they are not stars. They are disintegrating bits of cosmic dust usually no bigger than a grain of sand. Weird Meteoroids Meteors are caused by tiny dust particles called meteoroids that burn up in Earth's atmosphere. This picture shows a tiny meteoroid that was captured high in the stratosphere before it burned up or hit the ground.
Experts make their predictions.
Read a charming, first-hand account of the meteor shower that marked the discovery of the Leonids and created a new branch of astronomy. When big meteoroids disintegrate in the atmosphere, they sometimes leave behind smoky remnants that hang in the air for up to 30 minutes. These glowing clouds often change shape over time as they are blown about by high-altitude winds. Pictured above is the glowing remnant of a 1998 Leonid that hung in the air for 10 minutes. A second meteor is seen cutting through the field of view during the exposure.