PDF Meteor Showers and Their Parent Comets Download
- Author: Petrus Matheus Marie Jenniskens
- Publisher: Cambridge University Press
- ISBN: 0521853494
- Category : Science
- Languages : en
- Pages : 14
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The International Astronomical Union formalized the naming of meteor showers in 2006. Each newly discovered shower now is assigned a unique and officially recognized name, number, and 3-letter code. Close to a thousand possible meteor showers have since been reported, over a hundred in the cause of writing this book. Atlas of Earth's Meteor Showers takes stock of all reported detections by going back to the combined video and radar data in hand at the end of 2021, in order to weed out duplicates and false detections. Maps were created that show the direction of motion of meteors (their radiant) during 5-day and 10-day intervals throughout the year. All 500+ showers recognized are briefly described from their radiant, speed, and orbital elements, and the meteoroid mass distribution index was calculated. Physical properties of the meteoroids were derived from their beginning, peak and end height, from their deceleration in Earth's atmosphere, and from spectroscopic information. Candidate parent bodies are mentioned and the age of the stream was calculated from the dispersions in orbital elements and from the meteor magnitude distribution index. A brief history is given of the shower's discovery, of when features were first recognized, and of results from dynamical modeling, all with references to the literature. Presents approximately 400 detailed meteor shower maps that show what showers are active on a given night for visual, video, and radar observers Provides thorough descriptions of each shower that can be used in planetary astronomy and for meteor observing sessions, the discovery of new showers, and planetary defense Highlights periodic, unusual showers that may be expected on a given night based on past occurrences that are important to satellite hazard avoidance and meteor storm chasing
This definitive guide provides advanced students and researchers with a detailed yet accessible overview of all of the central topics of meteor science. Leading figures from the field summarise their active research on themes ranging from the physical composition of meteoroids to the most recent optical and radar observations and ongoing theoretical developments. Crucial practical issues are also considered, such as the risk posed by meteoroids - to spacecraft, and on the ground - and future avenues of research are explored. Taking advantage of the latest dynamical models, insights are offered into meteor flight phenomena and the evolution of meteoroid streams and complexes, as well as describing the in-depth laboratory analysis of recovered material. The rapid rate of progress in twenty-first-century research makes this volume essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand how recent developments broaden our understanding of meteors, meteoroids and their origins.
This atlas contains everything you need to know about meteor showers and how to observe them. It begins with the science behind these celestial fireworks, then equips you with all the practical knowledge you’ll need to make the most of these wonderful astronomical events. The book is rich with illustrations, graphs and resources to assist your hobby. In addition, it includes downloadable radiant charts, report sheets, radiant altitude data, plotting charts and more, to help you locate each shower, record its activity and plot individual meteors during your nights of observation. Intended for amateurs of all levels and requiring no special equipment, this accessible Atlas of Meteor Showers will hone your skills and keep you engaged throughout the year, no matter where you are in the world.
In this era of high-tech instruments, meteor observing is the one facet of astr- omy that needs nothing more than your naked eye. Meteors can be easily seen without the aid of cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. Just ? nd a comfortable chair and lie back and watch for the surprises that await high above you. It is a great way to involve the family in science where everyone is active at the same time, not wa- ing to take turns at the eyepiece. The kids especially enjoy the hunt for “shooting stars,” oohing and ahing at each streak of light that crosses the sky. While gazing upwards, it is also a great way to get more familiar with the sky by learning the constellations and seeing if you can see the warrior among the stars of Orion or the scorpion among the stars of Scorpius. Until just recently, one could simply go outside and watch for meteors from his or her yard. Unfortunately, humankind’s fear of the dark and the widespread use of lighting as advertisement have lit the nighttime scene in urban areas so that only the brightest stars are visible. Serious meteor observing under such conditions is nearly impossible as the more numerous faint meteors are now lost in the glare of urban skies. Today, a serious meteor observing session entails organizing an outing to a country site where the stars can be seen in all their glory and meteors of all magnitudes can be viewed.
'Astonishing' - New Scientist Icy, rocky, sometimes dusty, always mysterious – comets and asteroids are among the Solar System's very oldest inhabitants, formed within a swirling cloud of gas and dust in the area of space that eventually hosted the Sun and its planets. Locked within each of these extra-terrestrial objects is the 4.6-billion-year wisdom of Solar System events, and by studying them at close quarters using spacecraft we can coerce them into revealing their closely-guarded secrets. This offers us the chance to answer some fundamental questions about our planet and its inhabitants. Exploring comets and asteroids also allows us to shape the story of Earth's future, enabling us to protect our precious planet from the threat of a catastrophic impact from space, and maybe to even recover valuable raw materials from them. This cosmic bounty could be as useful in space as it is on Earth, providing the necessary fuel and supplies for humans as they voyage into deep space to explore more distant locations within the Solar System. Catching Stardust tells the story of these enigmatic celestial objects, revealing how scientists are using them to help understand a crucial time in our history – the birth of the Solar System, and everything contained within it.
Until now, important research on the historical records of comets and meteor showers from China, Japan, and Korea has remained the exclusive preserve of those with expertise in the relevant languages. With a compilation like the present volume the authors hope to ameliorate that situation. Applying the same rigorous selection criteria and style of presentation as in the previous catalogue, assembled and translated here are some 1,500 additional observations of comets and meteor showers from China, Japan, and Korea spanning nearly three millennia. With the publication of this volume, most of the important historical records of East Asian astronomical observations are now accessible in English. The introductions and appendices provide all the required information on specialized terminology, recording conventions, and nomenclature the reader will need to make use of the records. In addition to being an invaluable resource for professional astronomers, East Asian astronomical records have materially aided the research of scholars in fields as diverse as mythology, medieval iconography, ancient chronology, and the oral history of pre-literate societies. The book should be of great interest to cultural astronomers, as well as to those engaged in historical and comparative research.
This rigorously refereed volume is a compilation of articles that summarize the most recent results in meteor, meteoroid and related fields presented at the Meteoroids 2007 conference held at the impressive CosmoCaixa Science Museum in Barcelona, Spain.
Provides an introduction to comets, covering where they come from, how they travel, their importance to astronomers, as well as their relationship to meteor showers.