Groups of meteorite-producing meteoroids and carbonaceous chondrite meteorites

Abstract

The possibility of existence of groups of meteorite-producing meteoroids which include meteorites Maribo, Murchison, Shutters Mill and Tagish Lake, classified as carbonaceous chondrites was analyzed. The main argument for existence of groups of meteorite-producing bodies is the existence of bolides and meteorites with mutually similar orbits and a time-correlated meteorite falls. The IAU Meteor Database of Photographic orbits and the other published sources have been used to select bright sporadic fireballs with currently similar orbits to meteorites Maribo, Murchison, Shutters Mill & Tagish Lake. The analysis used the common and widely used orbital similarity functions $D_{SH}$ by Southworth and Hawkins. In result the some meteorite-producing sporadic fireballs as possible members of groups of studied meteorites were found and the possible source regions in Near-Earth space have been considered. Especially the bodies of the small sizes (50-100 m) on the Earth-crossing orbits on a time scale of a human civilization represent the natural hazards because of the greatest probability of risk of collision with the Earth. Purposeful monitoring of these bodies in the identified periods of increased fireballs and meteorites activity by means of both of land fireball network and space tools established on orbital satellites is important for the prevention of danger.