Twin Peaks of the 2002 Leonid Meteor Storm Observed in the Leonid MAC Airborne Mission

Abstract

During the Leonid MAC 2002 airborne mission, we carried out a wide-field TV observation of the strong activity of the Leonid meteor shower from 03h30m UT through 11h50m UT on 2002 November 19. Two narrow peaks of the storm activities were observed at around 04h03m UT and 10h49m UT, with peak influx rates ($\mbox{mag} \leq +6.5$ mag$\leq +6.5$) of $1.63 \times 10^{-5} \,\mathrm{km}^{-2} \,\mathrm{s}^{-1}$ and $1.95 \times 10^{-5} \,\mathrm{km}^{-2} \,\mathrm{s}^{-1}$, respectively. Even in the full-Moon condition, the activity level of these twin peaks were comparable to that of the storm observed in 2001 over Japan. The first peak activity generated by the 7-revolution-old dust trail (ejection in 1767) was rich in bright meteors, including the fireball-class, compared to the second peak corresponding to the 4-revolution-old dust trail (ejection in 1866). The magnitude distribution indices ($-2.5 \leq$ mag$\leq +3.5$) were $1.70 \pm 0.10 $ in the first peak (7-rev) and $2.03 \pm 0.05$ in the second peak (4-rev). The correlation between the observed peaks and several theoretical predictions is discussed.

Ondřejov radar observations of Leonid shower activity in 2000–2002

“…The underdense echo activity peak occurred about 30 min later. Our results coincide also with the observations of Abe et al (2003).…”

Search for OH(A–X) and detection of (B–X) in ultraviolet meteor spectrum

“…On the other hand, Jenniskens, Laux, & Schaller (2004a) found excessive emissions between 770 and 840 nm with the maximums centered at ∼ 789 and ∼ 815 nm, which could be caused by the "First Negative A-X" band of molecular nitrogen ion N + 2 Meinel. The evidence of N + 2 Meinel system was identified in two fireballs (magnitudes of -1 and -7) obtained during the Leonid meteor shower in 2001 and 2002 Leonid Multi-Instrument Aircraft Campaign(MAC) Abe et al, 2003b). Because their un-intensified slit-less CCD spectrograph could provide a high spectral resolution with the precise determination of wavelength in the near-IR region, these must be reliable findings.…”