Final answer:
The child is likely speaking to his friend. The word 'dude' is often used informally to refer to a close friend or acquaintance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The child is likely speaking to his friend. The word 'dude' is often used informally to refer to a close friend or acquaintance. In this context, the child is excitedly asking if his friend saw the shooting star. To put a friend's mind at ease about meteor showers affecting the Big Dipper, explain that meteors are merely cosmic dust burning up in the atmosphere and have no effect on distant stars. The Big Dipper's stars are very far away and remain unchanged by phenomena like meteor showers. Additionally, differentiate between meteors, meteorites, and comets in relation to meteor showers.