A Shooting Star

A contemporary string figure created by Yukio Shishido of Kyoto, Japan. A meteor or "shooting star" is the visible streak of light that occurs when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere and ignites. Most meteoroids are about the size of a pebble and vaporize completely. Those that reach the Earth's surface are called meteorites.

<Full-length video in Windows Media Player>

Step-by-Step Video Clips

Written Instructions

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Step 7 - Action: Press L2 against the side of L1; release the R1 and R5 loops, and extend sharply so that the pattern dissolves.

The parallel strings that momentarily remain represent the meteor's glowing trail.

Occasionally a small upright loop, held by the left hand, also remains. This loop represents a meteorite. Some meteors produce meteorites, but most do not (the string slips through the left hand).