The Northern χ -Orionid meteoroid stream and possible association with the potentially hazardous asteroid 2008XM1

Abstract

We present new orbital data and dynamic results pointing towards the origin of the Northern χ -Orionid meteoroid stream, which is a part of the Taurid meteoroid complex. A new software package was developed to establish the potential parent bodies of meteoroid streams based on the similarity of their orbits. The analysis of a Northern χ -Orionid fireball observed on 2011 December 6 identified two potential parent bodies: the near-Earth object (NEO) 2002XM35 (previously proposed as the parent of this meteoroid stream) and the more recently discovered potentially hazardous asteroid 2008XM1. The calculation of the evolution of the orbital elements performed by using the Mercury 6 symplectic integrator supports the idea that 2008XM1 is a better parent body. Our data sample was expanded by including also in the calculations the mean orbit of the χ -Orionid stream. The results are consistent with the fragmentation of a larger body in the past that could give rise to both NEOs and the Northern χ -Orionid stream. To confirm this, further observations to improve the orbital elements of these asteroids should be attempted before the objects are lost. The analysis of the emission spectrum recorded for this fireball supports a primitive nature for these meteoroids.