Definitions

1. noun

A type of rare, short-lived meteor shower caused by the Earth passing through a trail of dust from a comet.

“The astronomer studied the staurotide that appeared in the night sky last week.”

2. noun

A rare event in which the Earth passes through the tail of a comet, producing a brief meteor shower.

“The scientists were excited to observe the staurotide that occurred on the summer solstice.”