Jaime Izquierdo

The 2011 October Draconids outburst – I. Orbital elements, meteoroid fluxes and 21P/Giacobini–Zinner delivered mass to Earth

We are particularly grateful to all amateur observers that contributed to this study. We acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (projects AYA2009-13227, AYA2009-14000-C03-01 and AYA2011-26522), Junta de Andalucia (project P09-FQM-4555) and CSIC (grant #201050I043). We also thank the Draconid Recerca en Accio project (granted by Generalitat de Catalunya) in order to promote a cooperative amateur campaign in Catalonia. We also thank Dr Margaret Campell-Brown for many useful suggestions for improving this paper.

Orbits and emission spectra from the 2014 Camelopardalids

We have analysed the meteor activity associated with meteoroids of fresh dust trails of Comet 209P/LINEAR, which produced an outburst of the Camelopardalid meteor shower (IAU code #451, CAM) in 2014 May. With this aim, we have employed an array of high-sensitivity CCD video devices and spectrographs deployed at 10 meteor observing stations in Spain in the framework of the Spanish Meteor Network. Additional meteoroid flux data were obtained by means of two forward-scatter radio systems. The observed peak zenithal hourly rate was much lower than expected, of around 20 meteors h −1 . Despite of the small meteor flux in the optical range, we have obtained precise atmospheric trajectory, radiant and orbital information for 11 meteor and fireball events associated with this stream. The ablation behaviour and low tensile strength calculated for these particles reveal that Camelopardalid meteoroids are very fragile, mostly pristine aggregates with strength similar to that of the Orionids and the Leonids. The mineral grains seem to be glued together by a volatile phase. We also present and discuss two unique emission spectra produced by two Camelopardalid bright meteors. These suggest a non-chondritic nature for these particles, which exhibit Fe depletion in their composition.

Analysis of a superbolide from a damocloid observed over Spain on 2012 July 13

A superbolide with an estimated absolute magnitude of -20+-1 was seen on July 13, 2012 over the center and south of Spain. This extraordinary event, which was witnessed by numerous casual observers, was recorded in the framework of the continuous fireball monitoring and meteor spectroscopy campaign performed by the SPanish Meteor Network (SPMN). Thus, because of optimal weather conditions, the bolide was imaged from ten meteor observing stations. Here we present the analysis of this magnificent event, which is the brightest fireball ever recorded by our team. The atmospheric trajectory of the bolide and the orbit in the Solar System of the parent meteoroid were obtained. The emission spectrum produced during the ablation of this particle is also discussed. We found that the meteoroid, which was following a Halley Type Comet orbit, was depleted in Na and had a tensile strength one order of magnitude higher than that corresponding to typical cometary materials. By means of orbital analysis tools we have investigated the likely parent body of this particle and the results suggest that the progenitor is a damocloid. The impact area of the hypothetical remnants of the meteoroid is also given and a search for meteorites was performed, but none were found.

Trajectory, orbit, and spectroscopic analysis of a bright fireball observed over Spain on April 13, 2013

On April 13, 2013 a very bright fireball with an absolute magnitude of 13:0 0:5 was recorded over the center of Spain. This sporadic event, which was witnessed by numerous casual observers throughout the whole country, was imaged from seven meteorobserving stations operated by the Spanish Meteor Network (SPMN), and its emission spectrum was also obtained in the framework of our meteor spectroscopy campaign. The atmospheric trajectory of the bolide and the heliocentric orbit of the parent meteoroid are analyzed here. The spectrum reveals a chondritic nature for this particle, which was following a Jupiter family comet orbit before its encounter with the Earth. In addition, the emission spectrum of the meteoric afterglow was recorded during about 0.8 s. The main emission lines appearing in this signal were identified and their evolution with time is also discussed. Afterglow spectra are not abundant in the literature, and these can provide important clues about the physical proceses taking place in meteoric persistent trains.

Analysis of a superbolide from a Damocloid observed over Spain on July 13, 2012

A superbolide with an estimated absolute magnitude of -20+-1 was seen on July 13, 2012 over the center and south of Spain. This extraordinary event, which was witnessed by numerous casual observers, was recorded in the framework of the continuous fireball monitoring and meteor spectroscopy campaign performed by the SPanish Meteor Network (SPMN). Thus, because of optimal weather conditions, the bolide was imaged from ten meteor observing stations. Here we present the analysis of this magnificent event, which is the brightest fireball ever recorded by our team. The atmospheric trajectory of the bolide and the orbit in the Solar System of the parent meteoroid were obtained. The emission spectrum produced during the ablation of this particle is also discussed. We found that the meteoroid, which was following a Halley Type Comet orbit, was depleted in Na and had a tensile strength one order of magnitude higher than that corresponding to typical cometary materials. By means of orbital analysis tools we have investigated the likely parent body of this particle and the results suggest that the progenitor is a damocloid. The impact area of the hypothetical remnants of the meteoroid is also given and a search for meteorites was performed, but none were found.

Analysis of the September ε-Perseid outburst in 2013

We acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (projects AYA2015-68646-P and AYA 2015-67175-P).

The 2012 geminids balloon-Borne mission over Spain

Usando un globo sonda, la noche de entre el 13 y el 14 de diciembre de 2013, se procedio ha grabar desde la estratosfera la lluvia de estrellas de las Geminidas. Se capturaron al menos 16 meteoros y se pudo determinar la trayectoria de al menos 2 de ellos.