The most suitable meteor shower for observation in 2022

As of April 25th, 2022, the most suitable meteor showers for observation in 2022 are as follows:

May: The η meteor shower in Aquarius.

The estimated date is about 2 1-22.

This annual meteor shower is caused by Comet Halley. The meteor speed of this constellation is very fast (66 kilometers per second! But for observers in the northern hemisphere, the radiant point of this meteor shower (in Aquarius) is relatively low, not much above the horizon. Besides, it only rises a few hours before dawn.

July: Aquarius δ meteor shower

The expected date of occurrence is about 28-29.

This long-lasting meteor shower, more formally known as the Southern Aquarius meteor shower, radiates below the equator of the celestial sphere, just like the Aquarius η meteor shower, which is best seen from the southern hemisphere. However, observers in the northern hemisphere can clearly see its radiation point on the southern horizon a few hours before and after midnight. SDA meteor shower is famous for shooting meteors continuously in just a few days, and the number of meteors visible in dark areas is as high as 20 per hour.

August: Perseid meteor shower

The expected date of occurrence is about 12- 13.

Even amateur astronomical observers know the Perseid meteor shower, because at least one meteor streaks across the pleasant summer night sky every minute. But the peak of meteor shower is relatively short, so the timing is very important.

65438+ October: Draco meteor shower

The expected date of occurrence is about 12- 13.

Meteor showers radiated from Draco are usually very weak, and generally do not exceed 10 meteors per hour at the peak, so they are generally not included in the annual meteor shower list. However, from 1933 to 1946, a shocking Draco storm occurred-as recently as 20 18, observers recorded 150 meteor showers per hour.

65438+1October: Orion meteor shower

The estimated date is about 2 1-22.

The Orion meteor shower is also caused by Halley's comet. This year, its peak is expected to appear at 2 10 in early June, which is very suitable for people in North America and Europe to observe. Moonlight has little effect on observation. It can be observed from around 9 pm on the 20th until the radiant point of the meteor shower (above the bright red star Betelgeuse in Orion) moves below the horizon. But the traffic will reach the maximum after midnight, and the maximum traffic is one car every few minutes.

165438+ October: Leonid meteor shower

The expected date of occurrence is about 17- 18.

At the end of 1990s, when the mother comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle of Leonid meteor shower approached the sun for the last time, it often produced a narrow and dense debris flow, thus creating a spectacular scene. Since then, the meteor shower has changed every year, and usually only a few meteors are emitted from Leo's sickle. It is expected that this year's summit will come ahead of schedule in June 165438+ 10/7, so go for an outdoor adventure after midnight. Moonlight is not a problem.

65438+February: Gemini meteor shower

The estimated date is about 13- 14.

Meteors in the Gemini meteor shower can travel anywhere in the night sky, but if you look back along their tracks, they all seem to appear from a point in Gemini. This meteor shower near the end of the year is usually the most exciting and stable every year-nearly 100 meteors are emitted from the radiation point near the main star of Gemini, Beihe II.

65438+February: Meteor shower in Ursa minor

The estimated date is about 17-26.

Even if the Ursa Major meteor shower can only release 10 meteors per hour under the best conservative estimate, its advantage is that the radiation point is close to the scoop of the Little Beidou in Ursa minor-so it can be seen all night in the north latitude.