List of visible meteor showers in 2009 (meteor shower)

This is the meteor shower schedule, followed by observations suitable for this year, and finally astronomical wonders.

65438+ October

Meteor shower name: quadrant meteor.

Comet parent: 2003 EH 1

Radiation point: booth

Estimated date: 3rd to 4th.

Description: The flow rate is about 40 per hour, the color is blue, and the speed is relatively fast (about 40 kilometers per second). Brighter ones may cross half the sky, and a small part may even leave trace dust in the sky. There is an obvious peak, which usually lasts only about an hour.

April

Meteor shower name: Lyra meteor shower

Comet matrix: C/ Thatcher

Radiation point: Lyra

Estimated date of occurrence: 2 1 -22.

Summary: Bright and fast (about 48 kilometers per second) will leave traces of tracks in the sky, which will fade after a few seconds.

May

Meteor shower name: Eta Aquarius.

Comet parent: 1C/ halley

Radiant point: Aquarius Eta (Aquarius Eta)

Estimated date: 5th to 6th.

Summary: The density of meteors is high, but the flow rate is not very stable (the lowest is only a few dozen, and the highest may reach several hundred per hour). The equator and the southern hemisphere can be observed within a few hours before dawn, and the north is not conducive to observation. Many groups of meteors will leave long tracks in the sky.

June

Meteor shower name: Lyra meteor shower

Comet matrix: C/ Thatcher

Radiation point: Lyra

Estimated date: 14-16.

Description: The traffic is low, even in the peak period, the hourly traffic is only about 10. Patience is needed when observing.

July

Meteor shower name: Delta Aquarius.

Comet matrix: 1C/ halley

Radiation point: Aquarius Delta (Aquarius Delta)

Estimated date of occurrence: 28th-29th.

Description: The peak value is about 20, bright yellow, and the medium speed is about 40 kilometers.

Meteor shower name: Capricorn.

Comet matrix: not yet determined

Radiant point: Capricorn

Estimated date of occurrence: 29th-30th.

Description: At the peak, there are about 15 fireballs, which are bright yellow and slow, only about 25 kilometers. The observation height is low.

August

Meteor shower name: Perseid meteor shower

Comet matrix: 109 p/ Swift-tuttle

Radiant point: Perseus

Estimated date: 12-13.

Description: the flow rate is large, and the peak flow rate is about 60 per hour. Low brightness requires patience when observing.

10 month

Meteor shower name: Dragon Head Constellation

Comet matrix: 2 1P/ Giacobini-Sinner

Radiant point: Perseus

Estimated date: 12-13.

Description: The flow rate is low, only about 10 pieces per hour.

Meteor shower name: Orion.

Comet matrix: 1P/ halley

Radiation point: Oruon.

Estimated date of occurrence: 2 1 -22.

Description: The flow rate of Orion meteor shower is about 20 per hour, yellow or green in color, and the speed is about 66 kilometers per second. There are fireballs.

1 1 month

Meteor shower name: Leonid meteor shower

Comet Matrix: 55p/ Temple-tuttle

Radiant point: Leo

Estimated date: 17-18.

Description: Leonid meteor shower has a peak flow every 33 years, and the peak flow can reach hundreds per hour. The next peak will be about 30 years later. Although it is not the peak time, we can still see some sporadic meteors crossing the sky.

65438+ February

Meteor shower name: Gemini meteor shower.

Mother: 3200 Phaeton

Radiant point: Gemini

Estimated date: 13-14.

Description: The most stable and colorful meteor shower in a year, of which about 65% is white, 26% is yellow, and others are blue, red and green. Gemini meteor shower is the only meteor shower that is not the mother of comet. Its mother is the asteroid 3200 Phaeton. At peak hours, the hourly flow can reach hundreds.

Ursa meteor shower

Official name: URS, meteor shower in Ursa minor.

Activity time: 65438+February 65438+July-26th.

Maximum time: 65438+February 22/23.

Maximum flow (ZHR): 10

R value: 3.0

Average speed (without gravity): 33km/s.

Maximum center: 348 degrees right ascension and 75 degrees declination.

20 degrees north latitude (Nanning, Guangzhou, Haikou): It can be observed all night, preferably in the morning.

30 degrees north latitude (Lhasa, Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai): It can be observed all night, and it is best in the morning.

40 degrees north latitude (Beijing, Hohhot, Dalian): It can be observed all night.

50 degrees north latitude (Tacheng, Harbin): It can be observed all night.

The center of the telescope field of view: right ascension 348 declination+75, right ascension13/kloc-0 declination+66 (latitude >); +40 )

Right ascension 063 declination +84 declination 156 declination +64 (30-40 N)

According to the forecast, the peak of Leonid meteor shower in 2009 will appear at 5: 43 Beijing time (165438+108 October) (it may be delayed by 30 -60 minutes). By then, the maximum flow per hour will be about 500, which is the "second-class rainstorm level". The public can observe the meteor shower from 2 am to dawn at 18.

Other meteor showers worth observing are quadrant, Perseus and Gemini meteor showers. Although it is not as big as the Leonid meteor shower, the quadrant meteor shower is still very eye-catching because of its early arrival. As Tianyu's first performance dedicated to the public in 2009, the maximum value of quadrant meteor shower will appear around165438+2 1 on October 3rd, Beijing time. Although the maximum value of the forecast is difficult to see in China, the observation conditions in the latter half of the night are still very good.

Perseid meteor shower can be said to be one of the most famous meteor showers. It is not only numerous, but also almost never misses the starry sky in summer. It appears stably at a fixed time every year, and is the most active and frequently observed meteor shower, ranking first among the three periodic meteor showers in the whole year. From the evening of August 12, 2009 1 1 to the early morning of the next day, it will present a wonderful summer night starry drama for the public, and people can see the beautiful scene of meteors streaking across the sky with the naked eye. Its peak value is about 60 meteors per hour.

Just like China's New Year movies, the Gemini meteor shower usually arrives as scheduled at the end of the year, and the "release schedule" will last from 65438+February 7th to17th. In 2009, the Gemini meteor shower will reach its peak in the early morning of 15, and the maximum number of theoretical meteors per hour can reach 120. Gemini meteor shower is very suitable for observation, not only the meteor is slow, but also the bright meteor will leave a white trail.

1, the first meteor shower in 2009 appeared on the night of 1 3 this year: quadrant meteor shower. But meteor showers are not easy to see in most parts of China, because the maximum discharge is very small.

Western sky watchers are especially lucky. They can see the biggest meteor shower in a period of time after 5 am Pacific standard time. The maximum quadrant meteor shower can drop 15- 120 meteors per hour.

2.65438+ 10 month 15: east distance of Venus. Venus is famous for its brightness, especially when it is near a great distance. I believe everyone can capture its figure in the sky. Because its orbit around the sun is slower than that of Mercury, Venus traveled from west to east for more than 1 year, and finally reached its "destination" at 65438+ 10/5. Venus is already very bright at this time, reaching -4.5 and so on. At sunset, the horizon is about 37, like a bright lamp hanging in the southwest low altitude.

3.654381October 26th Spring Festival, the annular eclipse will happen quietly. The sun, the moon and the earth are basically in a straight line. When the sun shines on the moon, it is blocked, forming a huge strip projection from west to east on the surface of the earth. This eclipse belt obliquely crosses the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. In Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia, due to the suitable distance between the earth and the moon, annular solar eclipse can be seen, while only partial solar eclipse can be seen in the south of China. In Shanghai, the sun will be "eaten" by the moon at 17: 20.

4.654381On the evening of October 30th, Venus, the goddess in charge of love and beauty in western mythology, dated the moon, the goddess of the east. Venus is one of the brightest stars in the sky. At that time, the moon was like a bow, as if to shoot Venus at the world. In addition to meeting the moon, Venus will also reach the easterly distance on June 65438+1October 15, and reach its brightest on February 19, thus becoming a dazzling "pearl" in the southwest at night. If the public observes with a small telescope, it can also be seen as charming as a small moon.

On February 22-26, early risers will have a chance to see Jupiter (–2.0, etc.). ), mercury (–0.1etc. ) and Mars (+1.2, etc. ) get together to form a 5-degree circle. About half an hour before sunrise, Jupiter and Mercury can be seen hanging on the horizon. On the other hand, unless you use binoculars, it may be difficult to find Mars in the twilight. The dream rings of these three planets are the smallest on February 24, only 3.7 degrees wide. On the morning of February 22nd and 23rd, the very thin waning moon will interact with these three planets in a very interesting way.

On March 9th, Saturn, which is famous for its beautiful rings, will hit the sun. Planets "rushing to the sun" is the highlight of the annual astronomical phenomena. "Rushing to the sun" means that the planet and the sun are just on both sides of the earth, almost in a straight line. At this time, the planet is closest to the earth and has the highest brightness, which is the best time for observation. Half a month before and after the "Sun Rush" is the best opportunity to see this "straw hat" planet. Saturn is a very bright planet, so the observation site doesn't have to go to the suburbs. In the city, as long as the weather is good, you can see it completely.

On March 25th, Venus became the morning star and the night star. After a special period of eight years, Venus reappeared the scenes of 200 1, 1993 and 1985 this year. However, only people in the northern hemisphere have the opportunity to see this scene this year, when people can see Venus at dusk and dawn on the same day. This scene will last for a few days, and March 25 is the middle day.

At dawn on April 22nd, the three celestial bodies closest to the Earth-the moon, Venus and Mars-will meet at low altitude and close range in the east. By then, the public can witness this spectacle with the naked eye. At this time, Venus in the telescope, like the waning moon, is a golden hook. This day coincides with the 28th lunar month, and the waning moon is like a sickle. Two "new moons" in the sky will make observers feel magical.

On the evening of June 6, 9, Antares and Canyue staged Moonlight Express. At that time, the waning moon will cover up the first important red giant-Antares. However, this scene can only be seen in the central and eastern United States and parts of Canada.

10 On July 22nd, a once-in-a-century total solar eclipse will be staged. By then, as long as the weather is fine, the public in China can enjoy this rare phenomenon. The total solar eclipse will last for 6 minutes and 39 seconds, and can be seen on the long and narrow corridor that runs through India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bengal and China. About 325 kilometers east-southeast of Iwo Jima will be the best place to observe the total solar eclipse. For some people, this is the best total solar eclipse in 2 1 century and the longest total solar eclipse between 199 1 -2 132.

11.On the evening of August 6, Jupiter, the "king of the planets", will stage a beautiful celestial phenomenon with the moon. When it was dark that night, the bright moon rose from the horizon and couldn't wait to "go" to Jupiter. The distance between them is less than the apparent diameter of a full moon, and Jupiter will be second only to the moon in brightness. As long as the public looks up at the sky in the southeast, they can see this scene of "Moonlight Express". If the weather is clear, astronomy enthusiasts can enjoy the continuous bright stripe shape on Jupiter's surface with a small telescope.

From 12, August 10 to September 4, Saturn has no rings. Compared with 2003, Saturn's rings are tilted to the earth, and the maximum angle is close to 27 degrees. At this time, Saturn can hardly see Saturn's rings from the earth. The reason is that the relative positions of Saturn, the earth and the sun have changed. The rapid movement of the earth in orbit has changed our position of observing the north and south of Saturn's rings. This time lasts for more than three weeks, when the famous Saturn ring will be completely invisible.

On June 13 and August 15, Jupiter, the "king of planets", will "rush to the sun". On the same day, Jupiter will shine in the night sky all night, and will rise to the starry sky near the head at midnight, showing its majestic posture.

On June 14 and August 18, Neptune will "rush to the sun", and interested astronomy enthusiasts can take a look at this mysterious light blue planet through a telescope. Neptune, a light blue mysterious planet, was discovered according to the calculation of pure astronomical theory and is called "discovery on the tip of a pen" in the history of astronomy. Neptune is very dark and difficult to observe. At that time, Neptune will retrograde in Capricorn. With the help of astronomical telescope, if we can match the century star map, the public will find their position in the sky more easily.

15 June and 17 September, Uranus was the last big planet to stage the drama of "rushing to the sun" in 2009, and it was the second farthest planet from the sun among the eight planets in the solar system. By then, the brightness of Uranus will be 5.7 magnitude, which means that the public can vaguely see its "beauty" with the naked eye in places with good observation conditions.

16, September 2-3, Jupiter has no satellites. Anyone who observes Jupiter with a small telescope can always see some or four complete famous Galileo satellites. In most cases, two or three such satellites can be seen, sometimes four such satellites can be seen, and rarely only one such satellite can be seen, and the chance of not seeing a satellite is even smaller. Late at night on September 2-3, people in the western hemisphere will see Jupiter for two hours without satellites.

1October 8, 17 and 10, Mercury will meet Saturn at close range. When they rose from the horizon of North America this morning, Mercury was only 0.3 degrees relative to Saturn on the right, and its magnitude was -0.7, nearly five times brighter than Saturn (+1.0, etc.). In five days, Saturn will follow Venus again, and the distance between them is only 0.6. Such a close distance is really rare. 10 On the morning of June 16, the waning moon, which has just formed for two days, will slide across three planets in the south of the sky.

18,165438+1October 17, the annual Leonid meteor shower is coming. The favorable observation time of this meteor shower is165438+1October 17 to 20th, especially around 5: 49 on 20th, and there may be an "outbreak" of Leonid meteor shower. By then, there will be dozens to 500 meteors across the sky every hour.

19, 12, 13- 14 Just like Chinese New Year movies, the Gemini meteor shower usually arrives as scheduled at the end of the year, and the "release schedule" will last from 12 to 17. In 2009, the Gemini meteor shower will reach its peak in the early morning of 15, and the maximum number of theoretical meteors per hour can reach 120. Gemini meteor shower is very suitable for observation, not only the meteor is slow, but also the bright meteor will leave a white trail.