Part of the charm of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is finding out that pretty much every detail of the game has some additional purpose. The jets of water on the beach are hidden clams, loud buzzing indicates underground mole crickets and glowing spots are nurseries for money trees. Eagle-eyed players might have also noticed shooting stars and wondered offhandedly if they served any purpose.

And, like the other small details, shooting stars do play a role in the game. By wishing on shooting stars, you'll be able to obtain star fragments. These are essential for crafting various items, including magic wands. However, for the new player, it can be tricky to figure out just how to get stars in the first place.

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Celeste, Blather's sister, will sometimes visit the island after 7:00 PM. It can be easy to miss her during the frenzy of fishing, catching bugs, weeding and chopping wood, so make sure to keep an eye out for the pink, beribboned owl as she inspects your night skies. After a long-winded talk with the owl (she is related to Blathers after all), Celeste gives the player a DIY recipe for a magic wand.

The first time you speak to her, she'll also explain how to wish on shooting stars: using the R stick, look up at the sky and, when you see a shooting star, press A. There will be a twinkling sound to alert you of shooting stars, so listen carefully. If you find one, keep looking, as there will sometimes be several in a row. Note that you cannot be holding any tools when doing this, and meteor showers occur between 7:00 PM and 4:00 AM. You'll know you've done everything correctly when the star lights up. The next day, there will be star fragments on the beach.

However, seeing the shooting stars at the right time can be difficult, and players should talk to their neighbors who will sometimes forecast meteor showers. The skies must be clear for meteor showers to happen, meaning that there can't be any clouds. If your skies are cloudy, have no fear. You can visit your friends' islands to see if their skies are clear enough and wish upon their stars. Your star fragments will still show up on your beach even if you wished on stars from a different island.

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Fragments come in three different forms: Star fragment, Large star fragments, and constellation-based fragments (Virgo, Taurus, Leo and so on). Regular star fragments can be crafted into magic wands that give players the ability to instantaneously change into eight outfits of choice. Once you've obtained a magic wand, interact with a wardrobe or dresser to set these outfits. While there is no magical girl music playing during this wardrobe transformation, it's a cool ability to have. You can also obtain different magic wands, some of which are based on in-game events.

For those who aren't as concerned with fashion, there's still a use for wishing on stars. The constellation fragments can be turned into elegant furniture per Celeste's recipes, meaning lucky players can lounge in a golden-footed Taurus Tub while listening to musical strains from a Virgo harp.

Be sure to talk to your neighbors, and keep an eye on the sky. If the weather is clear, you have the chance to pick up some rare star fragments. Shooting stars are a fun addition to Animal Crossing: New Horizons that'll keep night-owl players on their toes and watching the sky. And, if your stars align, you might just become a proud owner of a magic wand and be able to craft some nifty furniture.

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