双子座流星雨是由一个被称为3200Phaethon的天体碎片引起的，它的起源有一些争议。一些天文学家认为它是一颗已经灭绝的彗星，因为观测结果显示有少量的物质离开了Phaethon的表面。其他人则认为它是一颗小行星，因为它的轨道和它与主带小行星Pallas的相似性。
不管Phaethon的起源如何，观测结果显示，双子座的流量比大多数流星雨要大，使它们在燃烧之前能够低至地球表面以上29英里。其他流星雨，如英仙座流星雨，燃烧得更高。世界上大部分地区都可以看到双子座流星雨。然而，北半球将最适合观测双子座流星雨。The Gemini meteor shower is caused by a fragment of a celestial body called 3200Phaethon, and its origin is somewhat controversial. Some astronomers believe it is an extinct comet because observations show that a small amount of material has left the surface of Phaethon. Others think it is an asteroid because of its orbit and its similarity to the main belt asteroid Pallas.
``Regardless of the origin of Phaethon, observations show that Gemini has a larger flow rate than most meteor showers, allowing them to be as low as 29 miles above the earth's surface before burning. Other meteor showers, such as the Perseid meteor shower, burn even higher. The Gemini meteor shower can be seen in most parts of the world. However, the northern hemisphere will be best suited to observe the Geminid meteor shower.
In addition to the weather, the phase of the moon is also the main factor that determines whether a meteor shower will have a good flow in any year. This is because moonlight "washes out" the darker meteors, causing sky observers to see fewer bright meteors. This year, during the maximum period of the Gemini meteor shower, the moon is almost full 80% of the time, which is not ideal for our high-profile meteor shower.
Bill Cooke, head of NASA's Meteorological Environment Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said: "The Geminid meteor shower is rich in green fireballs and is the only meteor shower I would like to see on a cold December night. "
NASA will broadcast the great moments of the meteor shower on December 13-14 through the meteor camera at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
The all-weather meteor shower videos recorded by Fireball Network can also be watched every morning. Identify Gemini meteor showers in these videos-just look for events marked "GEM".
Learn more about the Gemini meteor shower below.
Why are they called Gemini meteor showers?
All meteors related to meteor showers have similar orbits, and they all seem to come from the same place in the sky, which is the so-called radiant point. The Gemini meteor cluster seems to radiate from a point in Gemini, so it is called "Gemini".
How fast is the Gemini meteor shower?
The speed of the Geminid meteor shower is 78,000 miles per hour (35 kilometers per second). This is more than 1,000 times faster than the Cheetah, more than 250 times faster than the fastest car in the world, and more than 40 times faster than a speeding bullet! This is the speed of Gemini.
How to observe the Gemini meteor shower?
If it is not cloudy, stay away from bright lights, lie on your back and raise your head. Remember to adjust your eyes to the darkness-so you will see more meteors. Keep in mind that this adjustment may take about 30 minutes. Don't look at your phone screen, because this will destroy your night vision ability. The public can choose a place with a wide view, safe and no light pollution.
Observing in a city with a lot of light pollution will make it difficult for you to see the Gemini meteor shower. In this case, you may only see a few at night.
When is the best time to observe the Gemini meteor shower?
December 13/14 is the best time to watch the Gemini meteor shower. Sky observers in the northern hemisphere can go out to watch the Gemini meteor shower in the middle of the night on December 13, but due to moonlight and other influences, you may not see many meteors.
You can still see Gemini meteors on other nights before or after December 13-14, but the number will be much less. The last Gemini meteor can be seen on December 17.
How many Gemini stars can observers see on December 13/14?
In reality, observers in the northern hemisphere expect to observe about 30-40 meteors per hour. Observers in the southern hemisphere will see fewer meteors than those in the northern hemisphere--perhaps 25% of the number observed in the northern hemisphere.
除了天气，月相也是决定流星雨在任何一年是否会有好的流量的主要因素。这是因为月光 “冲刷”了较暗的流星，导致天空观察者看到较少的明亮流星。今年，在双子座流星雨的极大期，月亮几乎有80%时间是满月，这对于我们备受瞩目的流星雨来说并不理想。
位于阿拉巴马州亨茨维尔的马歇尔太空飞行中心的NASA流星体环境办公室负责人Bill Cooke说：“双子座流星雨拥有丰富的绿色火球，是我唯一愿意冒着12月的寒冷夜晚去看的流星雨。”
NASA将通过位于阿拉巴马州亨茨维尔的NASA马歇尔太空飞行中心的流星摄像机直播12月13-14日的流星雨极大时刻。
全天候火球网录制的流星雨视频也可以在每天早上观看，在这些视频中识别双子座流星雨--只要寻找标有"GEM"的事件。
在下面了解更多关于双子座流星雨的信息。
为什么它们被称为双子座流星雨？
所有与流星雨相关的流星都有类似的轨道，而且它们看起来都来自天空中的同一个地方，也就是所谓的辐射点。双子座流星群似乎是从双子座的一个点辐射出来的，因此被称为"双子座"。
双子座流星雨的速度有多快？
双子座流星雨的速度为每小时78000英里（35公里/秒）。这比猎豹快1000多倍，比世界上最快速的汽车快250多倍，比超速的子弹快40多倍！这就是双子座的速度。
如何观察双子座流星雨？
如果不是阴天，远离明亮的灯光，仰卧，抬头。记住要让你的眼睛适应黑暗--这样你会看到更多的流星。请记住，这种调整可能需要大约30分钟。不要看你的手机屏幕，因为这将破坏你的夜视能力。民众可以选择视野开阔，安全且无光污染的地点。
在一个有很多光污染的城市进行观测，会使你很难看到双子座流星雨。在这种情况下，你可能在晚上只能看到少数几颗。
什么时候是观测双子座流星雨的最佳时间？
12月13/14日是观看双子座流星雨的最佳时间。北半球的天空观察者可以在12月13日的深夜时分出去观看双子座流星雨，但是由于受月光等影响，你可能不会看到很多流星。
你仍然可以在12月13-14日之前或之后的其他夜晚看到观看双子座流星，但是数量会少很多。最后一颗双子座流星可以在12月17日看到。
观察者可以在12月13/14日看到多少颗双子星？
现实上，北半球的观测者预计每小时可观测到约30-40颗流星。南半球的观测者将比北半球的观测者看到更少的流星--也许是北半球所观测数量的25%。
