Earth, Moon, and Planets 102, 485–493 (2008)
DOI: 10.1007/s11038-007-9194-y

Analysis of a low density meteoroid with enhanced sodium

Jiri Borovicka, Pavel Koten, Pavel Spurny and Rostislav Stork

Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences, Fricova 298, 25165 Ondrejov, Czech Republic

Abstract. We present an analysis of sporadic meteor number 07406018, observed by image intensified video cameras at two stations, which showed a pronounced deceleration along its trajectory. We have applied the erosion model to analyze simultaneously the deceleration and light curve. We have found that the meteoroid had a low density of about 500 kg m⁻³, consistent with its cometary orbit. The meteoroid structure was, nevertheless, markedly different from the Draconid meteoroids, studied recently with the same model. The size of the constituent grains was larger and the erosion energy was higher than in Draconids. The meteor spectrum was also different from Draconid spectra and showed very bright Na lines. The meteoroid composition was probably different from normal cometary composition.

Keywords: meteors - meteoroids - comets - composition

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