Chinanews.com client, Beijing, December 10 (Reporter Shangguanyun) In December, with the appearance of Gemini meteor shower, Jupiter and Saturn in turn, the "Astronomical Theater" in 2020 will usher in the "closing drama".
Among them, the Gemini meteor shower and the Ursa Minor meteor shower are worth looking forward to. Are you ready?
Gemini meteor shower is coming as expected
From December 13th to 14th, the expectant Gemini meteor shower ushered in its maximum period.
According to the forecast data of the International Meteor Organization, the maximum period of the Gemini meteor shower is from 16:00 on December 13th to 14:00 on December 14th, Beijing time, and the peak appears at 8:50 am on the 14th.
Data map: Previously, in the Usut (water) Yadan Geopark in Dachaidan, Qinghai Province, more than 200 meteors struck the night sky and staged a stunning Gemini meteor shower.
(Multiple photos superimposed) Photo by Wang Junfeng
"This meteor shower is well-known and is one of the most stable major meteor showers. It arrives as scheduled year after year." Yuan Fengfang, Science Director of the National Astronomical Observatory, said, "Under ideal observation conditions, 150 meteors per hour can be observed during this meteor shower. ."
Specifically, the Gemini meteor shower has a slower speed than other large meteor showers. It produces beautiful light streaks and often reveals yellow gleam, which is also more ornamental.
Yuan Fengfang said that astronomers in the northern hemisphere can start observing the Gemini meteor shower on the evening of the 13th local time, and see the largest number of meteors in the early morning of the 14th.
In areas with less light pollution, more meteors are observed.
What are the characteristics of the Ursa Minor meteor shower
In December of this year, in addition to the Gemini meteor shower, there will be another Ursa Minor meteor shower.
According to previous forecasts, the Ursa Minor meteor shower will usher in its maximum period at 17:00 on December 22, becoming the finale of the wonderful astronomical phenomenon throughout the year.
It's just that the ZHR (zenith rate per hour) of this meteor shower is 10, and the flow is small.
The origin of meteor showers is mostly related to comets.
Yuan Fengfang explained that the mother celestial bodies of most meteor showers are comets, except for two.
It is understood that in many places in the northern hemisphere, Ursa Minor is a permanent constellation, and the radiant point is always above the horizon.
However, the 22nd is a gibbous moon, and the meteor shower observed in the first half of the night will be affected by moonlight.
Generally speaking, the viewing of meteor showers may be affected by light pollution (including the moon and man-made light sources).
Yuan Fengfang reminded that if the area is highly polluted by artificial light, please go to a more remote area to get the best meteor shower viewing experience.
Data map: A meteor struck the night sky at Pagoda Dam, Pu'an Town, Kaijiang County, Dazhou City.
Photo by Hongyan
At that time, the radiant point of the meteor shower (the point in the sky that looks like the origin of the meteor) will be in the vicinity of Gemini Alpha Star (Borcus II).
Jupiter conjunct Saturn and "total solar eclipse"
According to reports, in December, it is worth looking forward to the once-in-20-year Jupiter and Saturn planets.
By then, Jupiter and Saturn will almost "close" together when viewed from the earth.
The Purple Mountain Observatory once issued a "Guide to Stargazing": At 21:32 on December 21, Jupiter and Saturn are closest, and the difference is 0.1 degrees.
If the weather is fine, astronomers can use astronomical telescopes to see the "stars attract" scene, because Jupiter and Saturn are low in altitude, they can start watching in the evening.
In addition, there will be a spectacular total solar eclipse in December.
However, Yuan Fengfang said that this time he needs to go to South America to watch.
You must pay attention to safety when watching a total solar eclipse.
She mentioned that first, and most importantly, do not look directly at the sun without proper protection. This behavior may cause permanent visual damage.
"In addition, solar eclipse glasses are inexpensive and can effectively block harmful sunlight; installing a solar filter on the front lens of the telescope is a good choice." She said, installing the sun on both lenses of the binoculars Filters are also optional.
Yuan Fengfang said, please do not put solar eclipse glasses on the eyepieces of any telescope or binoculars, because the amplified light may burn the filter and damage the eyes.
The solar filter device needs to be placed between the objective lens of the telescope and the sun.
She said that if the earth, the moon, and the sun form a straight line, and the moon completely obscures the sun, thereby forming a total solar eclipse, the corona will appear particularly clear.
Among the many astronomical phenomena that can be witnessed on the earth, the total solar eclipse is widely regarded as the most spectacular spectacle.
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