Abstract.
A detailed analysis of a photographic spectrum of a Geminid fireball obtained in December 14, 1961 at the Ondrejov Observatory is presented. We have computed a synthetic spectrum for the fireball and compared it with the observed spectrum assuming chemical equilibrium in the meteor head. In this way we have determined relative chemical abundances in meteor vapors. Comparing the relative chemical abundances of this Geminid meteoroid with those obtained from meteoroids associated with comets 55P/Tempel-Tuttle and 109P/Swift-Tuttle we found no significant chemical differences in main rock-forming elements. Despite of this similarity, the deepest penetration of the Geminid meteoroids and their ability to reach high rotation rates in space without fragmentation suggest that thermal processing is affecting their physical properties. We suggest that as consequence of space weathering a high-strength envelope is produced around these particles. In this picture, heating processes of the mineral phases could result in the peculiar properties observed during atmospheric entry of the Geminid meteoroids, especially their strength, which is evidenced by its resistance to ablation. Finally, although one meteoroid cannot be obviously considered as representative of the composition of its parent body, we conclude that 3200 Phaethon is able to produce millimetre-size debris nearly chondritic in composition, but the measured slight overabundance of Na would support a cometary origin for this body.
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Acknowledgements
The Ondrejov Observatory of Czech Republic provided the meteor spectra and software for data reduction. The authors are grateful for helpful discussions with Dr. Frans J.M. Rietmeijer (University of New Mexico). J.M.T-R. would like to thank the Spanish State Secretary of Education and Universities for a Postdoctoral grant. J.Ll. is grateful to MCYT for a Ramon y Cajal Research Program grant and DURSI (Generalitat de Catalunya).
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TRIGO-RODRíGUEZ, J., LLORCA, J., BOROVIČKA, J. et al. SPECTROSCOPY OF A GEMINID FIREBALL: ITS SIMILARITY TO COMETARY METEOROIDS AND THE NATURE OF ITS PARENT BODY. Earth Moon Planet 95, 375–387 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11038-005-9033-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11038-005-9033-y