APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

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APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by APOD Robot » Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:06 am

Image A Geminid Meteor Over Iran

Explanation: Some beautiful things begin as grains of sand. Locked in an oyster, a granule grows into an iridescent pearl, lustrous and lovely to behold. While hurtling through the atmosphere at 35 kilometers per second, a generous cosmic sand grain becomes an awe-inspiring meteor, its transient beauty displayed for any who care to watch. This years Geminid meteor shower peaked last week with sky enthusiasts counting as many as 150 meteors per hour, despite the din of bright moon. Pictured above the Taftan volcano in southeast Iran, a meteor streaks between the bright star Sirius on the far left and the familiar constellation of Orion toward the image center. Sky watchers are looking forward to next years Geminids which should peak during a unobstructive new Moon.

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ruben

Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by ruben » Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:39 am

Hermoso, bello, paisajístico.

chinookwind

Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by chinookwind » Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:42 am

Are we sure it isn't another US drone ?? LOL !

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Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by orin stepanek » Mon Dec 19, 2011 1:00 pm

Neat! 8-) I liked today's selection with Orion in the center and Sirius to the left with the meteor in between. 8-)
Orin

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Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by biddie67 » Mon Dec 19, 2011 1:52 pm

Nice Work!! I just noticed that Iran is at about the same latitude as where I live in Florida ~~ the stars are in the same position as I see them here.

awaudio1

Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by awaudio1 » Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:09 pm

Being new to astronomy, but doing some quick math, is that object really traveling at around 78,000 mph (35 kilometers per second)? Thanks aw

35000 Meters per Second = 78,292 Miles per Hour?
1 Meter per Second = 2.2369 Miles per Hour?

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Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by Chris Peterson » Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:59 pm

awaudio1 wrote:Being new to astronomy, but doing some quick math, is that object really traveling at around 78,000 mph (35 kilometers per second)? Thanks aw

35000 Meters per Second = 78,292 Miles per Hour?
1 Meter per Second = 2.2369 Miles per Hour?
The speed of Geminid meteoroids above the atmosphere (Vinf) is 35 km/s. So when you see them burning up, air resistance has slowed (and is continuing to slow) them down. But just a little.

FWIW, Geminids are one of the slowest showers, and definitely the slowest major shower. That's part of what makes these meteors so impressive.
Chris

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neptunium

Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by neptunium » Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:24 am

Not knowing any kind of that language, what's FWIW :?:

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Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by Chris Peterson » Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:48 am

neptunium wrote:Not knowing any kind of that language, what's FWIW :?:
For What It's Worth.
Chris

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islader2

Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by islader2 » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:12 am

NEPTUNIUM , IMHO, please go to abbreviations. com before asking our leading solon CHRIS P. Thanx. :oops: :roll:

neptunium

Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by neptunium » Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:43 pm

Okay, okay! Sorry!
Geez, what is with these people?!

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Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by Chris Peterson » Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:38 pm

neptunium wrote:Okay, okay! Sorry!
Geez, what is with these people?!
You don't seem sincere enough in your contrition. More grovelling!
Chris

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neptunium

Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by neptunium » Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:01 pm

Maybe I don't seem sincere, but I really am. Please try to understand.

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Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by Chris Peterson » Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:17 pm

neptunium wrote:Maybe I don't seem sincere, but I really am. Please try to understand.
Okay, this time only. But DLIHA.
Chris

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Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by geckzilla » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:23 pm

That's a non-standard acronym use there. I'm afraid I'm going to have to issue a citation.
Just call me "geck" because "zilla" is like a last name.

neptunium

Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by neptunium » Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:55 am

Chris Peterson wrote:Okay, this time only. But DLIHA.
Don't-Let-It-Happen-Again :?:

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Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by Chris Peterson » Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:02 am

neptunium wrote:
Chris Peterson wrote:Okay, this time only. But DLIHA.
Don't-Let-It-Happen-Again :?:
See, you're fine, even with NSAs!
Chris

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Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by TNT » Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:33 am

Ah, yes, NSAs, LGS, another NSA.
Can you figure out that one, Chris? :wink:

BTW :facepalm: , neptunium, if you can figure out LGS, you might be able to do NSA, too.
The following statement is true.
The above statement is false.

neptunium

Re: APOD: A Geminid Meteor Over Iran (2011 Dec 19)

Post by neptunium » Wed Dec 21, 2011 2:36 pm

NSA, Non-Standard-Acronym, Like-Geckzilla-Said. I'm getting the hang of this!

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