Miscellany

Meteors
This weekend, Dec 13-4, we're getting a huge storm.

According to McBeath, the Geminids are predicted to reach peak activity on Dec. 14 at 16:45 GMT. That means those places from central Asia eastwards across the Pacific Ocean to Alaska are in the best position to catch the very crest of the shower, when the rates conceivably could exceed 120 per hour.

"But," he adds, "maximum rates persist at only marginally reduced levels for some 6 to 10 hours around the biggest ones, so other places (such as North America) should enjoy some fine Geminid activity as well.

Legislature
Two great posts over at A-gu's site. A summary of the effects of the new districting plan from the China Times -- if you read one post this month, this should be it -- A-gu's own thoughts, plus this prediction. A-gu has done great work on the legislative election.

Name Changes
Names of villages in southern Taiwan will revert to their old aboriginal names.

Fifty years after it was renamed, local councilors in Sanmin Township (三民), in Kaohsiung County, unanimously voted on Monday for a new Aboriginal name for the township, effective January 1.

"The seven-member township council has ... unanimously agreed to change the township name to Namasiya Township (那瑪夏)," Mayor Husong Istanda said in a telephone interview.

[Taiwan]