The duo also noticed that, while beyond the orbit of Jupiter, meteoroids in a stream orbit the solar system's barycenter. Their orbit is therefore referred to as barycentric.

As they move closer to the Sun, the center of gravity that governs their motion changes—from the solar system’s barycenter to the Sun itself. This shift doesn’t just change their path.

The Solar System barycenter is the proverbial point where the Greek god Atlas would keep his finger to balance the mass of Sun and planets. All planets circle this barycenter, but so does the Sun.