The Northern ω-Scorpiid Meteoroid Stream: Orbits and Emission Spectra

• Published in: Earth, moon, and planets Vol. 118; no. 2-3; pp. 81 - 89
• Main Authors: Espartero, Francisco A., Madiedo, José M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.11.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Arrays; Astronomical observatories; Astronomy; Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Atmospherics; Emission analysis; Emission spectra; Emissions; Information dissemination; Mathematical analysis; Meteor showers; Meteoroid showers; Meteoroids; Meteors; Observations and Techniques; Observatories; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Planetology; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Spectrographs; Streams; Tensile strength; ANE, Spain; Meteors; Meteoroids; Meteorites
• ISSN: 0167-9295; 1573-0794
• DOI: 10.1007/s11038-016-9491-4

We analyze the activity of the Northern ω-Scorpiid meteor shower between 2010 and 2012. For this purpose we have employed an array of low-lux CCD video cameras and spectrographs deployed at different astronomical observatories in Spain. As a result of our survey, the atmospheric trajectory and radiant position of 11 of these meteor events were obtained. The tensile strength and orbital parameters of the progenitor meteoroids have been also calculated. The calculated orbital data and the behaviour of these meteoroids in the atmosphere are compatible with an asteroidal origin of this stream. In addition, we discuss a unique emission spectrum recorded for one of these meteors. This is, to our knowledge, the first North ω-Scorpiid spectrum discussed in the scientific literature, and it has provided information about the chemical nature of the meteoroid and the progenitor body.