经典译文

What are meteor showers？

An increase in the number of meteors at a particular time of year is called a meteor shower.

Comets shed the debris that becomes most meteor showers. As comets orbit the Sun， they shed an icy， dusty debris stream along the comet’s orbit. If Earth travels through this stream， we will see a meteor shower. Depending on where Earth and the stream meet， meteors appear to fall from a particular place in the sky， maybe within the neighborhood of a constellation.

Meteor showers are named by the constellation from which meteors appear to fall， a spot in the sky astronomers call the radiant. For instance， the radiant for the Leonid meteor shower is located in the constellation Leo.

什么是流星雨？

每年某个时间定期发生的成群流星叫做流星雨。

流星雨大多是彗星掉落的碎片形成的。彗星绕太阳运行时，在轨道上散下一种冰尘状，成群的碎片。地球经过这些成群碎片的时候，我们就能看到流星雨。根据地球和碎片相遇的位置，流星雨似乎出现在天空的某个位置，大约是在邻近星座的范围内。

流星雨从哪个星座位置掉落，就以那个星座命名。这个位置在天文学上叫辐射点。例如，狮子座流星雨的辐射点就位于狮子座星群。

What are shooting stars？

“Shooting stars” and “falling stars” are both names that people have used for many hundreds of years to describe meteors — intense streaks of light across the night sky caused by small bits of interplanetary rock and debris called meteoroids crashing and burning high in Earth’s upper atmosphere. Traveling at thousands of miles an hour， meteoroids quickly ignite in searing friction of the atmosphere， 30 to 80 miles above the ground. Almost all are destroyed in this process; the rare few that survive and hit the ground are known as meteorites.

什么是流星？

有些小天体或碎片，也就是流星体，闯入地球大气层发生摩擦生热，在天空形成耀眼的光芒，从而变成流星，也可称作陨星。几百年以来人们都是这么称呼流星的。流星体以1千英里的时速，在离地面30至80英里的上空，与大气剧烈摩擦而迅速燃烧。几乎大部分在这个过程中就已经燃烧殆尽。极为少数还剩余落到地面，变成陨石。

How can I best view a meteor shower？

If you live near a brightly lit city， drive away from the glow of city lights and toward the constellation from which the meteors will appear to radiate.For example， drive north to view the Leonids. Perseid meteors will appear to “rain” into the atmosphere from the constellation Perseus， which rises in the northeast around 11 p.m. in mid-August.

After you’ve escaped the city glow， find a dark， secluded spot where oncoming car headlights will not periodically ruin your sensitive night vision. Look for state or city parks or other safe， dark sites.

Once you have settled at your observing spot， lie back or position yourself so the horizon appears at the edge of your peripheral vision， with the stars and sky filling your field of view. Meteors will instantly grab your attention as they streak by.

如何找到流星雨最佳观测点？

如果你住在霓虹闪烁的城市里，就得开车远离城市，往流星雨辐射点的星座方向。例如，看狮子星座流星雨往北开。8月中旬英仙座流星雨从英仙座星群方向“飞出”，而英仙星座在天空的东北方向，大约晚上11点出现。

远离城市霓虹之后，找一个黑暗僻静的观测点。你微弱的夜视不会被偶尔来往车辆的车灯影响。尽量找国家或是城市公园，或是一些安全，黑暗的地方。

当你确定了观测点后，平躺或是选择一个合适的姿势，使地平线纳入你的外围视线内。星星和天空要尽收眼底。流星飞过的时候，你会马上就注意到的。

How do I know the sky is dark enough to see meteors？

If you can see each star of the Little Dipper， your eyes have “dark adapted”， and your chosen site is probably dark enough. Under these conditions， you will see plenty of meteors.

如何确定天空的黑暗程度足以观测到流星？

如果你能看到小熊座的所有星星，那么你的眼睛就已经适应了黑暗，你选取的观测点或许已足够黑暗。这样，你就能看到好多流星。

What should I pack for meteor watching？

Treat meteor watching like you would the 4th of July fireworks. Pack comfortable chairs， bug spray， food and drinks， blankets， plus a red-filtered flashlight for reading maps and charts without ruining your night vision. Binoculars are not necessary. Your eyes will do just fine.

NOTES Actual shower times can vary. Bright moonlight makes it difficult to see all but the brightest meteors.

观测流星应该要带什么工具？

把看流星当做是看独立日的烟花表演。带上舒服的椅子，驱虫液，食物和饮料，毛毯，还有手电筒，用来看地图又不会影响你晚上的视线。不需要望远镜，用眼睛就行了。

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