A "Shooting Star" is a common term for a meteor, which is a small piece of space debris that burns up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere. As it travels at high speeds, the friction with the air causes it to glow brightly, creating a streak of light in the sky. This phenomenon can often be seen during meteor showers, when numerous meteors appear to radiate from a specific point in the sky. Shooting stars are not actually stars; they are typically the size of a grain of sand or a pebble. Most meteors disintegrate before reaching the ground, but if a piece survives the journey and lands on Earth, it is called a meteorite. People often make wishes when they see a shooting star, a tradition rooted in various cultures and folklore.