Presentation Information
[O12-P85]Analysis of meteors by using video and spectroscopic observations
*Kuranosuke Tanaka1, *Daisuke Takahashi1, *Hideto Nakajima1, *Harutaka Rindo1, *Hiroki Onami1 (1. Tokyo Metropolitan Tachikawa Senior High School)
Keywords:
meteor,comet,spectrum
Background and Purpose
Meteor observations provide crucial insights into comets, asteroids, and Earth's upper atmosphere. Our astronomy club has conducted visual observations since 1953. Since 2023, we developed automated video detection systems using five surveillance cameras and machine learning, alongside radio observation equipment. This research extends previous work by introducing spectroscopic observation devices and dedicated analysis software to examine meteor spectra, light curves, and cluster phenomena, thereby inferring characteristics of their parent bodies.
Methods and Equipment
We employed two complementary observation techniques. The spectroscopic system utilizes an IMX462 camera, lens, diffraction grating, and Raspberry Pi 5. The video system builds on existing equipment with new light curve output software.
Key Innovation: A comprehensive analysis program was developed to perform all spectroscopic corrections and calculate metal abundance ratios and plasma temperature from corrected imagery—a process previously requiring specialized software and spreadsheet calculations.
Results
Spectroscopic Analysis: We obtained data for 18 meteors and calculated magnesium, sodium, and iron composition ratios. Different meteor showers exhibited distinct compositional patterns. Analysis of the rare ο Eridanid shower revealed that metal luminescence varies with time, indicating differences in emission line counts and excitation energy levels. A Geminid meteor was estimated at 3103 K.
Light Curve Analysis: Over 1200 meteors from the three major showers (Perseids, Geminids, Quadrantids) were examined. Peak brightness occurred at identical points across all showers. Importantly, Perseids and Quadrantids showed renewed brightening before extinction, while Geminids did not. Since Phaethon (Geminid parent) has high density while the other parent bodies are comets with low density, we hypothesized renewed brightening correlates with meteoroid fragmentation. Simulation confirmed that low-density meteoroids fragment while high-density ones remain intact.
Meteor Cluster Analysis: On November 21, 2025, seven meteors appeared within one second above Hyogo Prefecture. Using data from seven locations, we determined geocentric and heliocentric orbits, identifying them as Leonid-derived. Mass calculations and Čapek theory analysis indicated fragmentation occurred 2.22 days before atmospheric entry, matching findings by meteor researcher Takashi Sekiguchi.
Conclusion
This research successfully characterized meteor composition, temperature, and brightness variation patterns while identifying meteor cluster origins through orbital analysis. Continued observations will advance understanding of meteor formation and parent body properties
References
• Astronomy and Meteorology Club, Tachikawa High School, Tokyo (2024). Development of the Automatic Meteor Observation System "Tengu" ver 2.0. Presented at the 13th High School and Technical College Meteorological Observation Equipment Contest.
• Astronomy and Meteorology Club (2026). Construction of a Meteor Spectroscopic Observation Device and Analysis. Presented at the 28th Astronomical Society Junior Session.
• Seiji Saito and Kou Nagasawa (1984). Meteors I: Observational Practice. Kosei-sha Publishing.
• Seiji Saito and Kou Nagasawa (1984). Meteors II: Analysis and Theory. Kosei-sha Publishing.
・Čapek et al.(2022). Ejection velocities, age, and formation process of SPE meteoroid cluster
・Sonotaco Network sonotaco.jp
・Global Meteor Network https://globalmeteornetwork.org/
・Ceplecha et al.(2005). Fragmentation model of meteoroid motion, mass loss, and radiation in the atmosphere
Meteor observations provide crucial insights into comets, asteroids, and Earth's upper atmosphere. Our astronomy club has conducted visual observations since 1953. Since 2023, we developed automated video detection systems using five surveillance cameras and machine learning, alongside radio observation equipment. This research extends previous work by introducing spectroscopic observation devices and dedicated analysis software to examine meteor spectra, light curves, and cluster phenomena, thereby inferring characteristics of their parent bodies.
Methods and Equipment
We employed two complementary observation techniques. The spectroscopic system utilizes an IMX462 camera, lens, diffraction grating, and Raspberry Pi 5. The video system builds on existing equipment with new light curve output software.
Key Innovation: A comprehensive analysis program was developed to perform all spectroscopic corrections and calculate metal abundance ratios and plasma temperature from corrected imagery—a process previously requiring specialized software and spreadsheet calculations.
Results
Spectroscopic Analysis: We obtained data for 18 meteors and calculated magnesium, sodium, and iron composition ratios. Different meteor showers exhibited distinct compositional patterns. Analysis of the rare ο Eridanid shower revealed that metal luminescence varies with time, indicating differences in emission line counts and excitation energy levels. A Geminid meteor was estimated at 3103 K.
Light Curve Analysis: Over 1200 meteors from the three major showers (Perseids, Geminids, Quadrantids) were examined. Peak brightness occurred at identical points across all showers. Importantly, Perseids and Quadrantids showed renewed brightening before extinction, while Geminids did not. Since Phaethon (Geminid parent) has high density while the other parent bodies are comets with low density, we hypothesized renewed brightening correlates with meteoroid fragmentation. Simulation confirmed that low-density meteoroids fragment while high-density ones remain intact.
Meteor Cluster Analysis: On November 21, 2025, seven meteors appeared within one second above Hyogo Prefecture. Using data from seven locations, we determined geocentric and heliocentric orbits, identifying them as Leonid-derived. Mass calculations and Čapek theory analysis indicated fragmentation occurred 2.22 days before atmospheric entry, matching findings by meteor researcher Takashi Sekiguchi.
Conclusion
This research successfully characterized meteor composition, temperature, and brightness variation patterns while identifying meteor cluster origins through orbital analysis. Continued observations will advance understanding of meteor formation and parent body properties
References
• Astronomy and Meteorology Club, Tachikawa High School, Tokyo (2024). Development of the Automatic Meteor Observation System "Tengu" ver 2.0. Presented at the 13th High School and Technical College Meteorological Observation Equipment Contest.
• Astronomy and Meteorology Club (2026). Construction of a Meteor Spectroscopic Observation Device and Analysis. Presented at the 28th Astronomical Society Junior Session.
• Seiji Saito and Kou Nagasawa (1984). Meteors I: Observational Practice. Kosei-sha Publishing.
• Seiji Saito and Kou Nagasawa (1984). Meteors II: Analysis and Theory. Kosei-sha Publishing.
・Čapek et al.(2022). Ejection velocities, age, and formation process of SPE meteoroid cluster
・Sonotaco Network sonotaco.jp
・Global Meteor Network https://globalmeteornetwork.org/
・Ceplecha et al.(2005). Fragmentation model of meteoroid motion, mass loss, and radiation in the atmosphere