Will there be a meteor shower in January next year? What about December this year?

The December 2022 meteor shower will be on December 4.

The 2022 Geminid meteor shower maximum is expected to occur at 9 p.m. on December 14, with a zenith hourly occurrence rate (ZHR) of 150. Geminid meteors are characterized by being bright and moving at a moderate speed. The radiant rises from east-northeast after nightfall, but as 14 December is the waning gibbous moon of the 21st day of the 11th lunar month, the moonlight will affect the observation from the second half of the night to the early morning.

In 2022, the best observation time was from nightfall on the 14th to 11 p.m.

Astronomical experts said that the five-character secret of meteor showers is "naked eye", "sunny sky" and "black". Naked-eye: Meteors will appear randomly in any corner of the sky, so the wider you can see, the more meteors you can see, so don't use a telescope!

Sunny weather: Stargazing requires sunny days, so check the weather forecast before going out. Black:

Introduction to meteor showers

A meteor shower is an astronomical phenomenon in which many meteors are emitted from a so-called radiant in the sky in the night sky. These meteors are fragments of the universe known as meteoroids that are projected into the Earth's atmosphere at extremely high speeds as they orbit in parallel orbits.

Most meteoroids are smaller than gravel, so almost all meteoroids are destroyed in the atmosphere and do not hit the Earth's surface; Debris that is capable of hitting the Earth's surface is called a meteorite. Meteor showers that are particularly large or unusually behave are known as "meteor protrusions" or "meteor bursts" and can produce more than 1,000 meteors per hour.

We all know that meteor showers are a relatively beautiful astronomical landscape, it has a very good viewing effect, and many people like to watch meteor showers, especially young people. Meteor showers occur many times a year, and the timing varies. So what time is the meteor shower in December 2020?

Let's take a closer look!

Geminid meteor shower maximum on the 14th.

The Geminid meteor shower is a meteor shower that appears near the constellation Gemini as a radiant. The Geminids, Quadrants, and Perseids are known as the three major meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere. They come to Earth from December 4 to 17 every year, and the hourly zenith flow can reach about 120 sparrows.

On the 22nd of the month, the bear meteor shower is at its highest.

As the highest declination group, the Cub meteor shower is ideal for observation in the mid- to high-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, although the flow is modest, with about 10 to 50 meteors per hour.

Early observers described the average position of the radiant as declination = 217 degrees and declination = +76 degrees. The maximum period occurs at the ecliptic longitude of the Sun (about December 22) and is estimated to occur from December 17 to 24.

Experts say: first of all, we should avoid places with heavy light pollution and try to let our eyes adapt to the darkness in advance;

Second, the observation point should have a wide field of vision, and there should be no mountains or buildings around it, and the weather should be clear.

Third, since the observation of meteor showers requires a large field of view, it can be observed with the naked eye, but it is not easy to see with a telescope;

Finally, travel to see the sky, safety first. The operation is not standardized, and the relatives are in tears! When you go out in the middle of the night, remember to put safety first!

1. Meteor observation generally does not require any observation equipment, and can be done with the naked eye. The scope of the telescope is too small for observing meteors. Meteors can appear in any direction in the sky, and the field of view must be open.

2. If you look up at a shooting star, your neck will soon become sore. It will be more comfortable to sit or lie down. If possible, it's a good idea to prepare chairs and moisture-proof mats.

3. Meteor observation is best carried out in the suburbs away from the interference of city lights. Safety first, the observation site should be familiar in advance.

4. It's still cold at night in the suburbs. Bring warm clothes.

5. Mosquito bites should also be prevented, and it is best to take mosquito repellents.

The 2018 meteor shower began at 6 a.m. Beijing time on January 4.

There were also 3 meteor showers in 2018. It is understood that there are three unmissable meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere every year, namely the Quadrant meteor shower, the Perseid meteor shower, and the Geminid meteor shower, which have a large and stable flow rate, and the zenith flow is more than 100 hours at the maximum.

1. The maximum of the quadrant meteor shower will occur at 6 o'clock on January 4, Beijing time, and the zenith flow will be 110 hours at the maximum.

2. The maximum of the Perseid meteor shower will occur at 4:16:00 on August 13, Beijing time, and the zenith flow will be 110 hours at the maximum, and the best observation period is the evening of the 12th and the 13th, which can be observed until dawn;

3. The maximum of the Geminid meteor shower will occur around 20:30 Beijing time on December 14, and the maximum flow of Xunjia zenith will be 120 hours, and the radiant will rise from the northeast horizon after dark, and will be visible all night.