Meteor trail drift research based on baseline observations

Abstract

We analyze the results of a rare long-lived quasisymmetric ellipsoidal-annular meteor trail recorded on November 18, 2017 by two optical all-sky cameras, spaced at a distance of 150 km. The analysis is based on astrometric processing results with the use of baseline measurement methods. We determine spatial-kinematic characteristics of the meteor trail, and find features of its evolution. The ignition and extinction heights of the meteor were in the range 75–120 km. The estimate of the meteor brightness gives the absolute magnitude value of about –7.3m. It is shown that the distribution of all parts of the long-lived meteor trail occurs in the same plane at a height of ~90 km at a speed of ~320 m/s and, apparently, cannot be a consequence of an air mass movement. The total time of the meteor trail observation was more than 30 min. We offer possible explanations for the results obtained in the context of upper atmosphere processes.

Studying a Long-Lasting Meteor Trail from Stereo Images and Radar Data

“…The duration of the observed long-lived meteor trail was consistent with [14], which studied temporal dynamics of (6) with dependence on meteor brightness. In our case, the apparent magnitude of −7.3 m as pointed to in reference [20] and accordingly with reference [14], the intensity of the trail from such a meteor should decrease to 0.1 from its initial value during about 10 3 s. Also the meteoroid could contain K, and as [12] show, the K also may participate in reactions such as (6):…”

“…The obtained characteristics of the long-lasting meteor trail, especially the velocities of its expansion, differ from characteristics obtained earlier for this event in [20,21]. Therefore, the mechanisms of long-lasting meteor trail formation discussed in these papers require correction.…”

“…In these regions, near the height of trail development defined by stereoscopy, the airglow comprised atomic oxygen (557.7 nm, 97 km), sodium (589 nm, 90 km), and hydroxyl (basically red and infrared ranges) emissions from photochemical reactions. In reference [20], sodium was considered to be the most probable reason for the glow. As mentioned above, the hypothesis regarding sodium emissions was also made in reference [18].…”

“…Positions of the instruments are given in Figure 1. Earlier, characteristics of this meteor trail were studied in references [20,21]. In reference [20], the authors determined spatial and kinematic characteristics of the long-lasting trail and revealed features of its evolution using the Astrometry software [22].…”

“…Earlier, characteristics of this meteor trail were studied in references [20,21]. In reference [20], the authors determined spatial and kinematic characteristics of the long-lasting trail and revealed features of its evolution using the Astrometry software [22]. The heights of meteor trail initiation and finalization were within 75-100 km; brightness was about −7.3 m apparent magnitude.…”