1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
[O11-P09] Spectroscopic Observation of meteor Showers Using Digital Camera
Keywords:Meteor Showers , Flame color reaction , Diffraction Grating
1.Background and Purpose
This research began after noticing that the color of meteors changes when photographed with a digital single-lens reflex camera. The objectives are to identify the elements responsible for meteor emissions through ground-based spectroscopic observations and to clarify the elemental characteristics of different meteor showers.
2.Methods
The observation method involved attaching a homemade spectrometer using a blazed diffraction grating to a DSLR camera, capturing meteors during active meteor showers so that they appear vertically within the camera's field of view. For image analysis, known wavelength light from elements was directed at the same position on the captured spectral images of meteors to determine the scale of the diffraction grating. Image analysis software was then used to calculate the wavelengths of each spectral line based on their spacing, allowing for the inference of the emitting elements.
3.Results
In 2024, attempts to capture images of the Perseids and Geminids did not yield spectral images. However, from 2016 to the present, approximately 700,000 images were taken, resulting in 66 spectral images, with the highest number of meteors captured from the Geminids. A trend was observed where sodium (Na) was less prevalent than magnesium (Mg) in the Geminids during 2017 and 2021.
4.Discussion
The observed trend of lower Na compared to Mg in the Geminids may be attributed to the short orbital period and perihelion distance of its parent body, 3200 Phaethon, suggesting that the meteor material from the Geminids was generated earlier than that of other meteor showers, leading to the loss of volatile Na. Previous studies had noted a significant deficiency of Na in the Geminids, but our ground observations did not show as pronounced a deficiency in 2017 and 2021.
5.Challenges and Future Directions
Future challenges include analyzing the orbital periods and perihelion distances of the parent bodies of each meteor shower and improving capture methods to increase the number of spectral images for other meteor showers. Future prospects involve reanalyzing the captured spectral images with a focus on light intensity to clarify trends among meteor showers, using literature to study the timing of meteor material generation by parent bodies, and continuing observations to determine the trends of emitting elements for each meteor shower.
This research began after noticing that the color of meteors changes when photographed with a digital single-lens reflex camera. The objectives are to identify the elements responsible for meteor emissions through ground-based spectroscopic observations and to clarify the elemental characteristics of different meteor showers.
2.Methods
The observation method involved attaching a homemade spectrometer using a blazed diffraction grating to a DSLR camera, capturing meteors during active meteor showers so that they appear vertically within the camera's field of view. For image analysis, known wavelength light from elements was directed at the same position on the captured spectral images of meteors to determine the scale of the diffraction grating. Image analysis software was then used to calculate the wavelengths of each spectral line based on their spacing, allowing for the inference of the emitting elements.
3.Results
In 2024, attempts to capture images of the Perseids and Geminids did not yield spectral images. However, from 2016 to the present, approximately 700,000 images were taken, resulting in 66 spectral images, with the highest number of meteors captured from the Geminids. A trend was observed where sodium (Na) was less prevalent than magnesium (Mg) in the Geminids during 2017 and 2021.
4.Discussion
The observed trend of lower Na compared to Mg in the Geminids may be attributed to the short orbital period and perihelion distance of its parent body, 3200 Phaethon, suggesting that the meteor material from the Geminids was generated earlier than that of other meteor showers, leading to the loss of volatile Na. Previous studies had noted a significant deficiency of Na in the Geminids, but our ground observations did not show as pronounced a deficiency in 2017 and 2021.
5.Challenges and Future Directions
Future challenges include analyzing the orbital periods and perihelion distances of the parent bodies of each meteor shower and improving capture methods to increase the number of spectral images for other meteor showers. Future prospects involve reanalyzing the captured spectral images with a focus on light intensity to clarify trends among meteor showers, using literature to study the timing of meteor material generation by parent bodies, and continuing observations to determine the trends of emitting elements for each meteor shower.