Orbit, emission spectrum, and photometric analysis of two flickering sporadic fireballs

Abstract

We present the observations of two fireballs that exhibit fast and quasi-periodic brightness variations along their atmospheric path. This phenomenon, which is known as "flickering", is associated to the entry of spinning non-spherical meteoroids into the atmosphere. Both bolides were imaged in the framework of the continuous fireball monitoring and meteor spectroscopy campaigns organized by the SPanish Meteor Network (SPMN) in 2012. Their atmospheric trajectory, radiant, and orbit were calculated. The preatmospheric mass and tensile strength of the parent meteoroids were also estimated, and the rotation of these bodies analyzed on the basis of the photometric behavior of the bolides. Although small (less than 80 grams), a non-zero terminal mass was determined for both events. The emission spectra produced during the ablation of the meteoroids in the atmosphere are also discussed.

The ρ-Geminid meteoroid stream: orbits, spectroscopic data and implications for its parent body

“…The photometric preatmospheric mass m p of each meteoroid is also included in this Table . As in previous papers (see e.g. Madiedo et al 2013a), this mass has been calculated from the lightcurve of each event and by using the luminous efficiency given by Ceplecha and McCrosky (1976). This mass was found to range between 0.2 and 100 g.…”

“…Madiedo et al 2013a), this mass has been calculated from the lightcurve of each event and by using the luminous efficiency given by Ceplecha and McCrosky (1976). This mass was found to range between 0.2 and 100 g. Table 3 shows the orbital elements obtained for the progenitor meteoroids of the meteor events listed in Table 2, and also the averaged orbital data calculated by taking into account these N=10 orbits.…”

The Mexican Meteor Network: A Preliminary Proposal

“…They work in the Spanish Meteor Network (SPMN) and they have used several types of cameras and lenses to observe meteors since 2004(Trigo et al, 2004. So to set up the Mexican Meteor Network, we acquired WAT-902 H2 Ultimate (EIA) cameras and lenses with an image size of 1/3 "and a focal length 0f 0.3 to 8 mm because this equipment has been very useful to observe meteors due to its efficiency (Figure 1) (Madiedo and Trigo, 2008;Madiedo et al, 2009;Madiedo et al, 2010;Madiedo et al, 2013). Once we have this equipment, the next action was to design a base to protect the cameras.…”