One of the video games that Short Wave's Scientist in Residence has been playing a lot in the pandemic is Animal Crossing, in which bits of stars fall along the beach. It got Regina thinking — what ARE shooting stars? For answers on all things asteroid, meteoroid and comet, she turns to planetary scientist Melissa Rice.

Haven't had any luck Googling to learning more about a cool phenomenon? Shoot us an email shortwave@npr.org, and we'll dig up some answers.

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