(meteorobs) Geminids & CR2 meteorites

[David Seargent]

Hi all,
 
The possibility that Phaethon is a fragment of 2Pallas is interesting, as there is also speculation that the rare carbonaceous chondrites known as CR2 meteorites are also from that asteroid. If both of these hypotheses are true, Geminds have a CR2 composition, which is probably what makes them appear different to most other meteors.
Interestingly, only three CR2s have been witnessed falls and two of these have occurred during times of Geminid activity, though not close to the peak. The third fell in January in the early 1800s. Of the other two, I have not been able to find out anything re the trajectory of the Al Rais, but the Kaidan meteorite (1981) was seen by a Soviet soldier and described as having come in from the north-west. From the location in Yemen and the time of morning, the Geminid radiant would have been north north-west, so the description is at least broadly consistent. Also, the observation was made under wartime conditions (the war between the Republic of Yemen and the People's Republic of Yemen), so may have been mistaken for an incoming missile. Determining the exact azimuth was probably the last thing on the mind of the witness!
Clear skies,
David Seargent
 		 	   		  
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