On the activity of the γ -Ursae Minorids meteoroid stream in 2010 and 2011

Abstract

Accurate orbital data obtained for the recently discovered γ -Ursae Minorids meteoroid stream during the 2010 and 2011 Spanish Meteor Network and Finnish Fireball Network observing campaigns are presented. In particular, we focus on an outburst detected in 2010 and on the analysis of the first emission spectrum recorded for a member of this meteoroid stream. An array of high-sensitivity CCD video devices operating from different locations in Spain and Finland was used to perform this study. We have obtained precise trajectory, radiant and orbital information for seven members of this stream. Considerations about its likely parent body based on orbital dissimilarity criteria are made. We also present an estimation of the tensile strength for these meteoroids and a unique emission spectrum of a γ -Ursae Minorid fireball that reveals that the main rocky components have chondritic abundances.