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

TL;DR

This study monitored the $ ho$-Geminid meteoroid stream using high-sensitivity devices, determining its orbit, physical properties, and spectra, revealing its likely cometary origin and providing new spectral data for this stream.

Contribution

First spectroscopic analysis of $ ho$-Geminid meteors, combined with orbit and physical property determination, indicating a cometary parent body.

Findings

Progenitor is likely a comet

First spectroscopic data for $ ho$-Geminids

Orbital and physical parameters characterized

Abstract

By using an array of high-sensitivity CCD video devices and spectrographs, the activity of meteor events from the poorly-known $\rho$-Geminid meteoroid stream has been monitored during January 2012 and 2013. As a result of this research, the atmospheric trajectory and radiant position of 10 of these events has been obtained, but also the orbital parameters of the progenitor meteoroids and the tensile strength of these particles. The data reveal that the progenitor of this stream must be a comet. In addition, the emission spectra produced by three $\rho$-Geminid meteors were also recorded. These are the first $\rho$-Geminid spectra discussed in the scientific literature, and have provided clues about the chemical nature of these meteoroids and their parent body.