Geminid meteoroids traced to cometary activity on Phaethon

Opportunities for transfer of twenty Geminid meteoroids from Phaethon were found by integrating the equations of motion back in time along with Phaethon. Examination of the conditions for transfer show that the meteoroids could have been ejected under circumstances (location, speed and directions of...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) 1989-11, Vol.225 (2), p.533-540
Main Author: Gustafson, B. A. S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asteroids (minor planets)
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Planets, their satellites and rings. Asteroids
Solar system
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Opportunities for transfer of twenty Geminid meteoroids from Phaethon were found by integrating the equations of motion back in time along with Phaethon. Examination of the conditions for transfer show that the meteoroids could have been ejected under circumstances (location, speed and directions of ejection) that are possible or even expected during cometary activity. Phaethon's active period would be no more than 2000 years ago and may have been within the last 600 years. While other means of formation of the Geminid meteoroids cannot be ruled out, they are less likely based on this investigation.
ISSN:0004-6361
1432-0746