Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1766877 Advances in Space Research 2007 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

An ultraviolet–visible spectrum between 300 and 450 nm of a cometary meteoroid originated from 55P/Tempel-Tuttle was investigated. The spectroscopy was carried out an intensified high definition TV camera with a slit-less reflection grating during the 2001 Leonid meteor shower over Japan. A best fit calculation mixed with atoms and molecules confirmed the first discovery of N2+B2Σu+→X2Σg+ bands in the UV meteor spectrum. N2+ temperature was estimated to 10,000 K with a low number density of 1.55 × 105 cm−3. We also discuss the possibility that enhanced emissions in a meteor and a train around 310 nm are caused by the band head of OH A2Σ+ → X2Π. Since cometary dust may have contributed organics and water to the Earth from its early period until now, OH A–X (0, 0) must be investigated.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Earth and Planetary Sciences Space and Planetary Science
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