Poster Maker: Feng Juan
According to astronomical science experts, as the last large-scale meteor shower of the year, the Gemini meteor shower, one of the three major meteor showers in the northern hemisphere, will usher in a huge scale on December 14, and friends who like meteor showers can observe in the middle of the night after the same day.
Beijing astronomy enthusiast An Jiu photographs the Gemini meteor shower in Qinghai on December 13, 2018. (Courtesy of me)
Most of the parent bodies of the meteor shower are periodic comets, but the parent object of the Geminid meteor shower is Asteroid 3200 Faetong, an Apollo-type asteroid. The Gemini meteor shower is also the second known meteor shower that is not "conceived" by a comet.
Guangdong province astronomy enthusiast Yuan Fengfang photographed the Gemini meteor shower at the Xinglong Observatory of the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on December 14, 2018. (Courtesy of CSVA)
Xiu Lipeng, director of the Tianjin Astronomical Society and an expert in astronomical science, said that just like the New Year blockbuster, the Gemini meteor shower generally appears at the end of the year, and the "release schedule" can last from December 4 to 17.
Tianjin astronomy enthusiast Yang Jing photographed the Gemini meteor shower in Jizhou, Tianjin on December 13, 2020. (Courtesy of me)
The meteor shower is known for its large and stable flow, and together with the quadrant meteor shower and the Perseid meteor shower, it is known as the three major meteor showers in the northern hemisphere.
A notable feature of the Gemini meteor shower is that the meteoroid body is slower, colorful, and there are many fire meteors, which are suitable for both visual vision and beginners in astrophotography.
Gemini meteor shower recommended index chart. (Author: Astronomical Popular Science Comics Blogger EasyNight)
Astronomical forecasts show that this year's Gemini meteor shower will be extremely large at around 15:00 on December 14, with a maximum ZHR (the number of meteors that can be seen per hour when the radiation point is directly above the head under ideal viewing conditions) is 150.
Yunnan province astronomy enthusiast Wei Wenjun photographs the Gemini meteor shower in Lugu Lake, Yunnan Province, on December 14, 2020. (Courtesy of CSVA)
Xiu Lipeng said that last year, the "colorful" Gemini meteor shower left a deep impression on people, but this year's Gemini meteor shower will be disturbed by moonlight, and the degree of excitement will be discounted a little. The 14th is the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the lunar calendar, the moon phase is the full and convex moon, the bright moonlight will cause interference to the observation, fortunately, in the second half of the night the moon will fall, at this time the radiation point of the Gemini meteor shower will also rise relatively high.
Anhui province astronomy enthusiast He Hongcheng photographs the Gemini meteor shower in Lugu Lake, Yunnan Province, on December 14, 2020. (Courtesy of CSVA)
"Friends who like meteor showers can observe in the middle of the night after the moon, but pay attention to cold protection and warmth." Xiu Lipeng said.
Sichuan province astronomy enthusiast Jiang Tao photographs the Gemini meteor shower in Caviar West, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province, on December 14, 2020. (Courtesy of CSVA)
How can I observe as many meteors as possible? "It is not recommended to make observations in the city, but you can choose a place with a high altitude, little light damage, and a wide field of vision facing northeast in the suburbs or in the countryside, and then patiently wait until the moon sets and observe visually." Xiu Lipeng said.
Beijing astronomy enthusiast Jiang Chenming photographs the Gemini meteor shower in Duolun County, Inner Mongolia, on December 14, 2020. (Courtesy of CSVA)
It should be noted that the Flow of the Gemini Meteor Shower in all directions is very large, and it is not necessary to stare at the radiation points of the Gemini Meteor Shower all the time when observing.
Xiu Lipeng reminded that if friends who like photography want to shoot a gorgeous "meteor shower blockbuster", it is best to choose a wide-angle, large-aperture lens, and use high ISO and maximum aperture when shooting. For stability and durability reasons, tripods, spare batteries and shutter cables are also essential.
Producer: Hu Qinghai
Planner: Liu Xinhui
Reporter: Zhou Runjian
Edit: Chonghai
It was co-produced by Xinhua News Agency and Tianjin Branch of Xinhua News Agency
Produced by Starry Sky Studios