Orbital evolution and possible parent asteroids of 40 instrumentally observed meteorites

Abstract

We present the orbital evolution of 40 meteorites with known heliocentric orbits, both nominal and their clones as well. The goal of our work was to determine the stability of their orbits and to find possible connections with known near-Earth asteroids. Stability along with a probability of a random association were used to select probable candidates. We have found stable behaviour of orbits for 21 meteorites in the time interval of 100,000 years to the past (e.g. Neuschwanstein, Jesenice). Twelve meteorites displayed different orbital evolution of the nominal orbit and the clones (e.g. Almahata Sitta, Motopi Pan), but in general they were stable. There were seven meteorites on unstable orbits; 3 meteorites exhibited chaotic clone evolutions (Košice, Maribo and Novato) and 4 were on overall unstable orbits (Příbram, Sutter’s Mill, Flensburg and Arpu Kuilpu). This study suggests possible parent bodies from the currently known NEA population for 27 meteorites with very low DSH values and low probabilities of random association.