Do you like to look up at the starry sky and feel the vastness and mystery of the universe?Do you want to see a meteor shower and make your wishes and dreams?If your answer is yes, then you must not miss this month's Geminid meteor shower. This is the largest meteor shower of the year and the most reliable meteor shower in the Northern Hemisphere. It will reach its maximum in the early hours of December 15, when about 150 meteors can be seen streaking across the sky every hour, forming beautiful trails of light. This is a rare opportunity to observe and Xi. Let's take a look at the origin of the Geminid meteor shower and how to observe it.
Geminid meteor shower ** and characteristics
The Geminid meteor shower is an asteroid named Phaethon. The asteroid is numbered 3200 and it is a near-Earth asteroid that orbits through Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. With a diameter of about 5 kilometers and a mass of about 600 million tons, it is a very large asteroid. It has an orbital period of 3For 3 years, every time it passes perihelion, it is strongly heated by the sun, causing the material on its surface to evaporate or shatter, forming a tail. This material is distributed along the asteroid's orbit, forming a meteor swarm.
The Earth approaches Phaethon's orbit around December 14 every year and meets the material scattered in the orbit, resulting in the Geminid meteor shower. The material hits the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 35 kilometers per second, and the high temperatures generated by friction cause it to burn, forming brilliant meteors. The radiant of these meteors is located near the Geminid star North River II, so it is called the Geminid meteor shower.
The Geminid meteor shower, along with the Quadrant meteor shower in January and the Perseid meteor shower in August, are the three major meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere and the most reliable meteor showers. Its active period begins on December 4 and ends on the 17th. Its maximum time will occur on December 15 at 3 a.m. Beijing time, and the maximum zenith flow per hour is expected to reach 150. This means that, under ideal viewing conditions, 2 to 3 meteors per minute can be seen. This is the most spectacular meteor shower of the year and is not to be missed.
Another feature of the Geminid meteor shower is that it has a slower meteor velocity of only 35 kilometers per second, which is a bit slower than the average meteor. This makes its meteors easier to observe and easier to photograph. The meteors of the Geminid meteor shower are generally white or yellow in color, with occasional blue or green meteors. Its meteors generally do not leave a lasting trail of light, but sometimes bright fire meteors or ** meteors appear, which surprise observers.
Geminid meteor shower observation methods and techniques
The Geminid meteor shower does not require any professional equipment, as long as you have a pair of bright eyes, a comfortable place, and a curious heart, you can enjoy this feast of the sky. Of course, it would be better if you had a telescope or camera, you can see the details of the meteor more clearly, or take some beautiful ** as a souvenir.
The best time to observe the Geminid meteor shower is in the early hours of December 15, when the Geminid has risen high in the sky and the number of meteors is at its highest. Don't be discouraged if you miss this time, as there is a chance to see traces of the Geminid meteor shower on any night from December 4 to 17. As long as you find a place with clear skies, less light pollution, and a wide field of vision, you can start your observation journey. The best direction to observe the Geminid meteor shower is to the northeast, as this is where the constellation Gemini is located. You can use a star map or a mobile app to help you find Gemini, or you can identify it with the naked eye.
The most distinctive feature of Gemini is the two bright stars, the Gemini star and the Gemini star, which represent the two heads of Gemini. Geminid, also known as Beihebi, is the radiant of the Geminid meteor shower, which means that meteors appear to be emitted from here. You can aim your gaze at the star, or deviate a little, which will increase your chances of seeing a meteor.
The best position to observe the Geminid meteor shower is to lie on a chair or cushion to relax your body, adjust your eyes to the darkness, and calm your mind. You don't need to keep staring at the sky or counting the number of meteors, you just need to enjoy the process, feel the beauty of the meteors, Xi learn the mysteries of the meteors, make your wishes, and share your feelings with your friends or family. In this way, you can have an unforgettable observation experience and also increase your knowledge and interest in the solar system. The Geminid meteor shower hit in the early morning of the 15th