Chinanews.com client, Beijing, January 1st (Reporter Shangguanyun) Quadrant meteor shower, Mars conjunctive moon, Mercury eastward distance... Which of these celestial phenomena are you most looking forward to?

In January 2021, the above-mentioned astronomical phenomena will appear in turn, embellishing the sky wonderfully.

　　According to researcher Zhu Jin at the Beijing Planetarium, the quadrant meteor shower is one of the three largest meteor showers in the northern hemisphere, with a certain periodicity and regularity.

Due to its particularity, the number of meteors that people can actually see this time may be relatively small.

The quadrant meteor shower will debut

　　Many astronomers know that among meteor showers, the three largest meteor showers in the northern hemisphere are quite famous.

Among them, the quadrant meteor shower is a large meteor shower that appears in early January.

Data map: One of the three largest meteor showers in the northern hemisphere, the Perseid meteor shower appeared in the night sky.

On the top of Huangshan Mountain in Anhui, meteors travel through the Milky Way to complement each other.

The starry sky is dazzling, the mountains stretch, and the summit of Huangshan Mountain is magnificent.

Mei Jianshe

　　The current astronomical forecast shows that on January 3, the meteor shower will usher in a maximum, ZHR (hourly flow assuming the radiant point at the zenith at maximum) is about 110, and there are many bright fire meteors.

　　However, Zhu Jin mentioned that the quadrant meteor shower is quite special, and considering various factors such as the height of its radiant point, compared to its ZHR number, the number of meteors that people can see this time is actually very small.

　　"In fact, meteor showers occur almost every day, but many of them are very small in scale." Zhu Jin explained, "When small celestial bodies enter the earth’s atmosphere, they will emit light, called meteors; if they are not burned out, they will fall on the ground. It's called a meteorite."

What is the "Mercury distance"?

　　In addition to the meteor shower, another important astronomical phenomenon in January is the eastward distance of Mercury on January 24.

　　Many people may not know what "Mercury distance" is.

In fact, it refers to the maximum angular distance between Mercury and the sun.

By simulating the revolutions of the Earth and Mercury, the time of each large distance can be calculated.

Part of the topographic map of Mercury.

(Data map) Image source: NASA official website

　　As the name implies, Mercury is called the east distance to the east of the sun, and the west distance to the west of the sun.

At east distance, Mercury appears above the western horizon at twilight; at west distance, Mercury appears in the east low altitude at dawn.

　　"Mercury is relatively close to the sun. When viewed from the earth, it often rises with the sun during the day and then goes down. It is not easy to observe. It is easier to observe only when it is far from the sun." Zhu Jin explained.

　　He further mentioned that it is easier for people to see Mercury, a somewhat mysterious planet, within a few days before and after Mercury's distance.

There are still these horoscopes in January

　　In fact, not only are the meteor showers and Mercury far eastward, there are other interesting astronomical phenomena in January.

　　According to media reports, as the first celestial phenomenon of the New Year, the Honeycomb Star Cluster Banyue will be staged in Tianyu on the night of "New Year's Day" on January 1, 2021.

Data map: Beijing, the weather is fine, and after the sun sets, the astronomical landscape of "Venus and Moon" in Tianyu is clearly visible.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Sun Zifa

　　On January 12, "Venus and Moon" will also appear in the sky.

It is reported that the Venus conjunctive moon is one of the planetary conjunctive astronomical phenomena, that is, Venus and the moon move to the same longitude, and the distance between the two is the closest.

　　When the time comes to January 21st, there will be a celestial phenomenon of Mars conjoining the moon that night, and Mars will appear next to the moon. The angular distance between the two is only about 5 degrees.

　　"However, this time the celestial phenomenon of the honeycomb star cluster with the moon and Mars conjoined the moon, because of the moon phase, the observation effect will not be very good. This time Venus conjoined the moon is also more difficult to observe, but astronomers can try to challenge Click." Zhu Jin said.

(Finish)