Abstract
Interpreting fireball flickering in terms of the rotational modulation of the ablation process, the time since ejection into space of three Geminid meteoroids is determined. By estimating the time required to spin-up a meteoroid through non-isotropic photon scattering interactions with the solar radiation field, we find meteoroid ages consistent with ejection times some 1000‐ 4000 yr ago. There appears to be some indication that the stream formation process lasted for at least ∼1000 yr. We also estimate the rotational bursting conditions for the three Geminid meteoroids and find tensile strengths of some 3 × 10 5 Pa. We interpret our results as being supportive of the argument that the parent body to the Geminid stream, (3200) Phaethon, is an aged cometary nucleus.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
