Spectroscopy of a κ-Cygnid fireball afterglow

Abstract

A bright fireball with an absolute magnitude of −10.5±0.5 was recorded over the South of Spain on August 15, 2012. The atmospheric trajectory, radiant position and heliocentric orbit of this event are calculated. These data show that the parent meteoroid belonged to the κ-Cygnid meteoroid stream. The emission spectrum of this bolide, which was obtained in the wavelength range between 350 and 800nm, suggests a chondritic nature for the progenitor meteoroid. Besides, the spectrum of the meteoric afterglow was also recorded for about 0.7s. The evolution with time of the intensity of the main emission lines identified in this signal is discussed.