Trajectory, orbit, and spectroscopic analysis of a bright fireball observed over Spain on April 13, 2013

Abstract

On April 13, 2013 a very bright fireball with an absolute magnitude of -13:0 ± 0:5 was recorded over the center of Spain. This sporadic event, which was witnessed by numerous casual observers throughout the whole country, was imaged from seven meteorobserving stations operated by the Spanish Meteor Network (SPMN), and its emission spectrum was also obtained in the framework of our meteor spectroscopy campaign. The atmospheric trajectory of the bolide and the heliocentric orbit of the parent meteoroid are analyzed here. The spectrum reveals a chondritic nature for this particle, which was following a Jupiter family comet orbit before its encounter with the Earth. In addition, the emission spectrum of the meteoric afterglow was recorded during about 0.8 s. The main emission lines appearing in this signal were identified and their evolution with time is also discussed. Afterglow spectra are not abundant in the literature, and these can provide important clues about the physical proceses taking place in meteoric persistent trains.Meteor stations at Sevilla, La Hita, Huelva and El Arenosillo have been funded by the first author. We acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Projects AYA2009-13227 and AYA2011-26522). We also thank the AstroHita Foundation for its support in the establishment and operation of the automated meteor observing station located at La Hita Astronomical Observatory (La Puebla de Almoradiel, Toledo, Spain)