English

Alpha Cygnids - a possible July minor meteor shower

Astrophysics 2016-08-30 v2

Abstract

We present a comprehensive study of a possible α\alpha-Cygnid meteor shower. Based on visual and telescopic observations made by Polish observers we estimate basic parameters of the stream. Activity of α\alpha-Cygnids lasts from around June 30 to July 31 with clear maximum near July 18 (solar longitude λ=116.5\lambda_\odot=116.5^\circ). Maximal Zenithal Hourly Rates (ZHRs) are equal to 3.6±1.23.6\pm1.2. The structure of the radiant analyzed by {\sc radiant} software is most compact for geocentric velocity of the events equal to 41 km/s, and for the drift of the radiant (in units ^\circ/day) equal to Δα=+0.6\Delta\alpha=+0.6 Δδ=+0.2\Delta\delta=+0.2. Center of the radiant for the moment of maximum is α=302.5\alpha=302.5^\circ δ=+46.3\delta=+46.3^\circ.We derive population index rr equal to 2.55±0.142.55\pm0.14 from magnitude distribution of 738 possible members of the stream. Comparing the velocity distributions of 754 possible α\alpha-Cygnids and 4339 sporadic events by χ2\chi^2 and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests we conclude that both distributions are different with probability very close to 1.0. Telescopic observations strictly confirm the results obtained from visual observations. The smallest values of χ2\chi^2 parameter we obtained for the geocentric velocity equal to 40 km/s and for the drift of the radiant (in units ^\circ/day) equal to Δα=+0.6\Delta\alpha=+0.6 Δδ=+0.2\Delta\delta=+0.2. The center of the radiant for moment of maximum is α=304.9\alpha=304.9^\circ δ=+46.2\delta=+46.2^\circ. In spite of making many photographic exposures we still have no photographic or video confirmation of the existence of this stream.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.astro-ph/9807017,
  title  = {Alpha Cygnids - a possible July minor meteor shower},
  author = {Arkadiusz Olech and Marcin Gajos and Michal Jurek},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/9807017},
  year   = {2016}
}

Comments

accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Supplement Series, 8 pages with 4 figures