Video Observation of Geminid 2010 from India using a portable system

TL;DR

This paper describes the development and initial testing of a portable video system for observing meteor showers, demonstrated during the Geminid 2010 event in India, aiming to enhance remote meteor observation capabilities.

Contribution

Introduction of a portable, open-source video recording system for meteor observation, enabling remote data collection and supporting multi-station coordinated studies in India.

Findings

Captured meteors during Geminid 2010 from India.

System successfully recorded meteor activity.

Preliminary analysis indicates potential for detailed shower studies.

Abstract

Visual observations of meteor showers have been carried out for many decades by astronomers. Modern developments in imaging systems have advanced our knowledge about the shower dynamics and their origin. We have made an attempt to make a portable video recording system to observe meteor showers. The system consists of a camera capable of recording the rapid motion of meteors entering the Earths atmosphere. The camera is interfaced with a laptop using an open source software like VirtualDub. The initial testing was carried out while observing Geminid meteor shower in December, 2010 from the base of Mahuli fort (Lat: $19.47{\deg}$ N, Long: $73.26{\deg}$ E) near Asangaon, India. Here, we present few of the meteors recorded during this event, followed by a preliminary analysis of the shower. The portable video recording system enables to capture meteors at a remote location. This system will strengthen traditional visual observation methods used by astronomers in India. Future coordinated studies with a multi-station approach using such systems will assist in deriving the parameters associated with meteor shower activity and its impact on the Earth's atmosphere. Therefore, we propose long term and simultaneous multi-station video observations in the Indian subcontinent for continuous monitoring and better understanding of meteor dynamics.