Astronomy Picture of the Day - Geminid Meteors over Xinglong Observatory

APOD.NASA.gov ^ | 13 Dec, 2020 | Image Credit & Copyright: Steed Yu and NightChina.net

[MtnClimber]

Explanation: Where do Geminid meteors come from? In terms of location on the sky, as the featured image composite beautifully demonstrates, the sand-sized bits of rock that create the streaks of the Geminids meteor shower appear to flow out from the constellation of Gemini. In terms of parent body, Solar System trajectories point to the asteroid 3200 Phaethon -- but this results in a bit of a mystery since that unusual object appears mostly dormant. Perhaps, 3200 Phaethon undergoes greater dust-liberating events than we know. Over 50 meteors including a bright fireball were captured during the peak of the 2015 Geminids Meteor Shower streaking above Xinglong Observatory in China. The Geminids of December are one of the most predictable and active meteor showers. This year's Geminids peak tonight and should be particularly good because, in part, the nearly new Moon will only rise toward dawn and so not brighten the sky.

[MtnClimber]

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For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then zoom by moving the magnifying glass over an area and then clicking. The side bars will move the zoomed area over the photograph.

[MtnClimber]

[MtnClimber]

Pinging the APOD list.

🪐 🌟 🌌

[BenLurkin]

Xinglong with Mitch

[MtnClimber]

Today’s explanation has a hidden dog and cat that do not appear to be Chinese.

[rfp1234]

Were they on the menu?

[MtnClimber]

I don’t think they were in China because they seemed relaxed.

[ml/nj]

I still don't understand why all of the meteors seem to radiate from a single point. The earth supposedly passes through a cloud of debris particles at a regular position in the orbit. But the leading point of the earth when it enters such a cloud depends upon the earth's rotation which is not synchronous with its orbital position. Furthermore, as the earth passes through a "cloud" the meteors would surround the earth and the meteors would be pulled in from all directions.

ML/NJ

[Verginius Rufus]

All your meteor shower are belong to us?

Is there anything the CCP won't own eventually?

[libertylover]

Question for you astronomy buffs: My wife has some interest in looking at objects in the sky. What sort of telescope would be needed to see Mars as more than a tiny reddish dot? How about Jupiter and Saturn? Thanks.

[ETL]

Asteroid 3200 Phaethon

Radio image

[MtnClimber]

On that center orbital animation, on the first orbit that asteroid looked like it almost hit NYC!

[Larry Lucido]

“Xinglong with Mitch”

Xomething like that.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

MtClimber! Thanks More info here.

EarthSky 2020 Geminid showers

(Dogs and Cats sleeping together! Whats the world coming to!)

[minnesota_bound]

#8 We are under attack by aliens. They are firing from their starships so the shots are group.