What phenomenon is actually observed when someone sees a 'falling star'?

Answer

Meteors, which are small chunks of rock or debris burning up as they strike the atmosphere.

What is commonly called a 'falling star' is actually a meteor—a small piece of space debris colliding with the atmosphere at high velocity, heating up, glowing, and burning away.

What phenomenon is actually observed when someone sees a 'falling star'?
physicsSpacegravitystarmotion