This year's time is from midnight on August 12 to 3: 30 in the morning on August 13 1, northeast, and 35 degrees north latitude is the best observation point.
Many friends have asked me if I should observe meteor showers with binoculars. In fact, you don't need a telescope to visually observe the meteor shower, just use the naked eye. Therefore, visual observation of meteor shower is a good astronomical popularization project, because basically no equipment is needed.
When observing meteor showers at night, you need to pay attention to the following points.
1, need to face the radiation point. I have seen in many articles that "many meteors are emitted from radiation points", and I feel a little skeptical. Because meteors are randomly distributed, if meteors shoot from the so-called "radiation point" in place A, the same meteors seen in place B will pass in another direction. So, I don't think this statement makes any sense. However, because the distance between the meteor and the radiation point is closely related to the length of the trajectory of the meteor, more meteors can be "captured" at the radiation point, and more meteors can be seen at the radiation point.
2. Choose a good time. I often see some novices who can only watch meteor showers in the early hours of the morning, craning their necks and waiting there just after dark. Here I want to remind these novices that you are not superman, you are human, and you need sleep. Please don't look at the meteor when you can't see it. Generally, after the radiation point rises, it can be judged whether the meteor is in the group, so when deciding to watch the meteor shower, it is best to check the time when the radiation point rises and sleep until then. Learn this by analogy, because you can't see the meteor after the radiation point falls.
3. Try to make yourself comfortable. Watching meteor showers is not about watching galaxies and nebulae, but waiting for you one minute earlier and one minute later. Meteors are hateful things, they will disappear in an instant, so you should make full use of the observation time. The best way is to make yourself feel comfortable, such as lying down and watching. Standing and observing is a last resort.
4. Learn to distinguish between inside and outside the group. That's easy to say, but some meteors may not be able to tell whether they are inside or outside the group at once. First, the backward extension line of a meteor must pass through or be close to the radiation point (generally around 1 degree), so it is easy to learn; Second, what if a meteor extends backward through or near the radiation point? Then we must learn some methods. First, judge the speed; Second, determine the trajectory length. If there is a big difference between the speed and the meteor in the group (this needs to find a feeling), then it is a meteor outside the group; If a long trajectory is drawn continuously near the radiation point, it is not.
5. How to estimate the brightness of meteors? This is also the need to find "feeling". The "brightness" of many stars should be stored in the brain, and then when the meteor passes, the maximum brightness of the meteor is compared with the "record" in the brain, which is generally accurate to single digits.
6. Determine the limit magnitude. We can't take the number of stars seen by the naked eye as the standard. The international meteor organization stipulates that the number of stars in a specific sky area must be observed, and then the limit magnitude must be found by looking up the table.
Many things are easier said than done. The same is true for observing meteor showers, especially those that need to be observed in the middle of the night or all night. If it takes a few minutes or more for a meteor to appear, it is a test for observers. I have a lot of experience on how to make it through this night successfully, and I hope to share it with you.
1, have confidence and patience. When I look up at the sky, I have to think, "I am very lucky, and there will be a meteor in this sky area I see soon." I find that I have this feeling. When I really can't support it, I will find that time passes longer than expected. Moreover, if there really is a meteor, my heart will be greatly excited.
2. Distinguish between meteors and hallucinations. I believe everyone has some feelings. If you observe it alone, it is sometimes difficult to judge whether you have hallucinations. The author shares his experience with you. First, the "meteor" trajectory of illusion is generally very short; Second, the "meteor" of illusion is sometimes very fast, and it is not clear where is the beginning and where is the end; Third, the illusion seems to be "floating" on the eyes, while the real meteor has a very three-dimensional feeling, which seems to be integrated with the night sky. These are some of my feelings, and I hope to communicate with you more.
3. Trust your observation. Sometimes you will find that your observation number is slightly larger than the predicted ZHR. Don't panic at this time, and don't immediately start thinking about where you are wrong. If you see a real meteor, don't doubt your observation.
Besides the hard work during observation, preparation is also very important. Don't arrive at the observation site only to find that you forgot to bring something. Beginners must pay attention to this. As for physical problems, both novices and veterans should pay attention to them. If it is midnight, you should pay attention to the alarm clock, and don't wait until the next day to regret it.
Finally, I wish everyone a successful observation!