meteor Archives

The radiants in RA and Dec of the 472 fastest (vhel ≧ 44 km s−1 ) events along with the radiants of some known meteor showers and some relevant fiducial directions such as the Galactic Center. For the showers, the 10 most active annual IAU meteors showers that are seen by GMN (that is, that contain significant mm sized particles) and that have in-atmosphere speeds below 50 km/s. Directional values: the position of the Galactic Center (Reid & Brunthaler 2004); the Solar apex with respect to the Local Standard of Rest (LSR) (Jaschek & Valbousquet 1992); the Solar apex with respect to the Galactic frame (Solar Galactic Apex); and the interstellar dust (ISD) influx direction into the Solar System as reported by spacecraft Cassini, Ulysses, and Galileo, due to the motion of the Solar System through the Local Interstellar Cloud (LIC) (Sterken et al. 2012). No strong signature of the Galaxy or of meteor showers is seen. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Impact events, Interstellar, Meteorites & Asteroids, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report, Stellar Cartography

An Upper Limit on the Interstellar Meteoroid Flux at Video Sizes from the Global Meteor Network

by Keith CowingMarch 27, 2025March 27, 2025

Material arriving at our solar system from the Galaxy may be detected at Earth in the form of meteors ablating in our atmosphere. Here we report on a search for […]

Microscope image of silica droplets, or microspherules, found in the rock. Credit Natalie Cheng / Bridget Wade

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Extinction events, Fossils & Paleontology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Impact events, Meteorites & Asteroids, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Massive Asteroid Impacts Did Not Change Earth’s Climate In The Long Term

by Keith CowingDecember 5, 2024

Two massive asteroids hit Earth around 35.65 million years ago, but did not lead to any lasting changes in the Earth’s climate, according to a new study by UCL researchers.