The evolution of meteor streams

Title:              The evolution of meteor streams
Authors:            FOX, K.; WILLIAMS, I. P.
Affiliation:        London Univ. (England).
Journal:            In CNES  Planetary Rings  p 717-721 (SEE N85-26473
                    15-91)
Publication Date:   00/1982
Origin:             STI
Category:           Lunar and Planetary Exploration
NASA/STI Keywords:  ASTRONOMICAL MODELS, EVOLUTION (DEVELOPMENT),
                    METEOROIDS, GEMINID METEOROIDS, ORBITAL MECHANICS,
                    PLANETARY RINGS
Bibliographic Code: 1982plri.rept..717F

Abstract

The use of data on meteor streams to test theories of planetary ring evolution is suggested. The phenomena are similar in that a ring system can be considered as a family of particles moving in coherent orbits, susceptible to gravitational influence. Observational data on meteor streams are available for at least 100 yr in all cases, and 1000 yr for the Perseids, Eta Aquarids, and Orionids. The easiest orbital parameter to measure is the longitude of the ascending (descending) node, omega, as this is clearly given by the position of the Earth when the stream hits the atmosphere and becomes visible. Orbital data and the mean value of c/omega/dt for the major meteor streams are given. The cross section of the Geminid stream (the closest approximation to a planetary ring) as seen from the Earth at 2 epochs separated by 500 yr is shown.

Ken's Publication List