STARGAZERS are in for a treat this month as one of nature’s most spectacular firework displays, the Orionid meteor shower, gets underway. Other rare astronomical phenomena such as Uranus at Opposition can also be observed in late October. Orionids The Orionid meteor shower takes place every year around mid-October, when the Earth passes through an area of space littered with debris from Halley’s Comet. This debris burns up in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky. Each time that Halley returns to the inner solar system, its nucleus sheds ice and rocky dust into space. The dust grains eventually become the Orionids in October and the Eta Aquarids in May if they collide with Earth’s atmosphere. The Orionids are viewable in our hemisphere and will peak on the night of Oct. 22. Particular attention should be given to the time and moonlight conditions. Meteor showers are best seen after midnight. Some are not even visible until after midnight. Showers that peak with the moon’s phase greater than one-half illuminated (first quarter to last quarter) will be affected by moonlight and difficult to observe. Uranus at Opposition The planet Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun, reaches opposition on Oct. 28. In other words, our planet Earth with its smaller, faster orbit is swinging in between the Sun and the Uranus on this date, placing us squarely in the middle of the best time of year to see this planet. This optimal positioning occurs when the Uranus is almost directly opposite the Sun in the sky. Since the Sun reaches its greatest distance below the horizon at midnight, the point opposite to it is highest in the sky at the same time. At around the same time that the Uranus passes opposition, it also makes its closest approach to the Earth — termed its perigee — making it appear at its brightest and largest. Best places for observation Qiniang Mountain Located in Nan’ao Town of Dapeng New Area, Qiniang Mountain is the main peak of Dapeng Peninsula. At 869 meters above sea level, it is the second-tallest mountain in Shenzhen after Wutong Mountain. The mountain has well-preserved flora characteristic of a subtropical monsoon rainforest. The climbing massifs are in picturesque disorder with various strikingly outstanding peaks, exotic stones and grottoes. Transport: Take bus E11 to Nan’ao Town then transfer to bus M274 to Xinda Village Committee Yangmeikeng Yangmeikeng lies 3 kilometers from Judiaosha via a narrow road. Yangmeikeng is another patch of beautiful sand beach hidden behind bulrushes. Set against clear creeks flowing down Qiniang Mountain, it’s a popular place for newlyweds to take wedding photos. Far away from the city center and with an unobstructed view, the beach here is a nice option for watching sunrises and sunsets and for observing the sky. Transport: Take bus E11 to Nao’ao Stop Dameisha Beach Located on the northern shore of Dapeng Bay along the Yantian District coastline, Dameisha Beach is one of the largest beaches in Shenzhen. One of the most popular summer resorts in Shenzhen, Dameisha promises golden-sand beaches and clear seawater. With soft sand and fresh sea wind, it’s also a nice place for sky watchers. Note: Dameisha Beach will be closed from Nov. 1 for maintenance and will partly open on Jan. 1, 2020 Transport: Bus 1 or 239 Wutong Mountain At over 900 meters tall, Wutong Mountain is the tallest mountain in Shenzhen, making it a mecca for hikers and climbers. Located in east Shenzhen, it spans three districts including Luohu, Yantian and Longgang. Wutong Mountain enjoys a unique advantage in terms of sky watching. Most people camp on its grounds to watch the sunrise. Transport: Take bus 211 to Wutong Mountain Maluan Mountain Maluan Mountain is one of Shenzhen’s best kept secrets. However, it is extremely popular among avid hikers because it’s easy, safe, beautiful and varied with clear streams, lush woods, Chinese plum blossoms and one of the area’s largest waterfalls. Far away from the city center and without too many people, this place is one of the best places for observing stars. Members of the astronomical society of Shenzhen often come here to observe the sky. Transport: Take Sightseeing Bus 1, or bus 103, 380A or 380B to Xiaomeisha Stop Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory at Xichong Located in the picturesque Xichong area of Nan’ao Subdistrict in Dapeng New Area, Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory covers an area of 29,700 square meters, consisting of an astronomical building, a meteorological building and a multiple-function building. Fully equipped with astronomical equipment and optimally located, it may be the best place for stargazers to explore the universe in Shenzhen. Here you can observe rare astronomical phenomena such as Uranus at Opposition but not the meteor shower. Note: Reservation is required Transport: Take bus M232 to Hesou Village Stop (Chen Xiaochun) | 