What is the phenomenon of mercury transit and what does it mean
On November 11, the celestial spectacle mercury transit will be staged. It is expected that in the 5.5-hour 'big play', Mercury will turn into a 'small black mole' and slowly 'climb' over the surface of the sun. On weekdays mercury is always' unknown '? This time, Mercury will 'make things'!
It is understood that the principle of mercury transit is the same as that of solar eclipse. The latter is the phenomenon that when the moon moves between the sun and the earth, it covers the sun; Mercury transit is a phenomenon that Mercury comes between the sun and the earth.
It is reported that since the mercury transit was first predicted in 1631, this strange celestial phenomenon has appeared 52 times. An average of 13.4 times per hundred years. This is the fourth time since the 21st century, and the next time will wait until 2032.
This' double 11 ', in addition to buying, mercury should also' make headlines'!
'samsung 'connection
Mercury jogs on the surface of the sun
It is reported that Mercury cannot be seen unless there is a solar eclipse due to the strong sunlight on weekdays. The rare transit of mercury provides a 'stage' for this' unknown 'planet.
Mercury transit usually occurs in May or November. Although it only takes 88 days for mercury to orbit around the sun, it will not form a straight line until Mercury and the earth are just near the orbital intersection.
During the transit, mercury seen from the earth is only a small black spot, about 0.5% of the diameter of the sun, which looks like the sun's' small mole on the face '.
Maybe someone can't help asking, how can it be so small?
It is understood that Mercury is the smallest of the eight planets in the solar system and the closest to the sun. Its average distance from the sun is about 58 million kilometers, about 30% of the average distance between the earth and the sun.
It is not difficult to imagine how long Mercury moves on the surface of the sun when the transit occurs. The mercury transit in 2016 lasted nearly 7.5 hours; In 2006, it lasted about five hours. It is reported that the whole process of mercury transit in 2019 is also expected to take 5.5 hours.
Mercury's trajectory first look
Arrive at the heliocentric after the first two and a half hours
When is the best time to watch 5.5 hours of exercise?
Recently, the Royal Astronomical Society said that at 12:35 GMT on the 11th (20:35 Beijing time on the 11th), the outline of Mercury will first touch the edge of the sun; After two minutes, Mercury will fully enter the sun's surface and move slowly to the middle.
At 15:19 (23:19 Beijing time), after a long journey, Mercury will reach the center of the sun and continue to move forward without pause.
Finally, the whole transit will end at 18:04 (2:04 a.m. Beijing time on the 12th), and Mercury will disappear from people's vision.
Mercury transit cannot be seen directly
Europe and the United States and other places can watch, but China has no chance
It is reported that the mercury transit can be seen in South America, Antarctica, Africa, West Asia, Europe and most parts of North America, New Zealand in Oceania and other places, but not every place can see the 'full version'.
In Britain, the mercury transit will begin at 12:35 noon local time and end early after sunset (about 4:00); In the United States, the mercury transit starts at 7:35 a.m. Eastern time and ends at 13:04 a.m.
In China, since mercury transit began at night, most astronomy lovers may not be able to watch it directly. However, if you want to see mercury transit, you can borrow a light from next door.
For example, the Royal Observatory will broadcast live on social networking sites from 12:25 local time (20:25 Beijing time). NASA scientists will also transmit the latest videos and images in real time through the website.
Of course, when Mercury transit occurs, if people happen to be abroad, they can directly feast their eyes. However, it should be noted that the sky cannot be looked directly. Binoculars or telescopes with solar filters need to be used, otherwise looking directly at the sun may cause damage to the eyes.
Don't you see enough about mercury transit? Meteor shower and four stars are waiting for you
After watching the transit of mercury, do you still have more to say? Never mind, the sky in November is wonderful. And these celestial phenomena are waiting for you.
--North Taurus Leonid meteor shower
According to astronomical estimates, the northern Taurus meteor shower will usher in a great on the 13th, and then the famous Leonid meteor shower will debut on the 18th.
Although the predicted zHR (maximum zenith flow per hour) of the two meteor showers is not ideal, star watchers may as well wait quietly and catch several dazzling meteors.
--Four star Lianzhu
On the evening of November 29, Saturn, the moon, Venus and Jupiter will line up to form a spectacle of 'four-star beads'. At the southwest low altitude, you can watch with the naked eye or binoculars and take pictures with a camera.
However, since they will fall to about 10 degrees above the horizon 30 minutes after sunset, astronomers suggest finding a place with a good view to watch the shooting in advance.