Abstract
Visual observations collected over 60 years (1944–2003) are analysed. The profiles and values of the population index near the activity peak are rather constant over the entire period and confirm the strong mass segregation within the stream. The peak activity is characterized by a plateau in the profile with a ZHR between 120 and 130 lasting for about 12 h between λ⊙=261.5° and 262.4° (J2000). This is consistent with an age of the Geminid stream of about 6000 years. The position of this plateau is constant. Variations of the ZHR by more than 10% within the peak period are found in data of well-observed returns. These structures of about 0.2° duration can be traced over more than a decade with an average drift of about −0.02° in solar longitude per year
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
R. Arlt, . WGN, Journal of the IMO 31 (2003) 77-87
P. Brown and J. Rendtel, . Icarus 124 (1996) 414-428
K. Fox, I.P. Williams and D.W. Hughes, . MNRAS 205 (1983) 1155-1169
J. Jones, . MNRAS 217 (1985) 523-532
V. Porubčan, M. Kresáková and J. Štohl, . Contr. Astr. Obs. Skalnaté Pleso 9 (1980) 125-143
Rendtel J., Brown P. (1999). Proc. Meteoroids 1998, Astron. Inst. Slovak Acad. Sci., Bratislava, 243–246
Ryabova G. (2001). Proc. Meteoroids 2001, Swedish lnst. Space Phys., Kiruna, ESA SP-495, 77–81
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rendtel, J. Evolution of the Geminids Observed Over 60 Years. Earth Moon Planet 95, 27–32 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11038-004-6958-5
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11038-004-6958-5