meteooriks

Meteooriks are a proposed class of small celestial bodies in planetary science, defined by a distinctive atmospheric entry signature. In current theoretical and observational discussions, meteooriks are meteoroids—typically decimeters to meters in size—that exhibit rapid, multi-phase fragmentation and generate a bifurcated luminous trail during illumination of the upper atmosphere. The term is used mainly in discussions of meteoroid physics and atmospheric chemistry.

The name was coined in 2012 by researchers at the Institute for Planetary Studies to describe recurring trail morphologies seen in high-speed imaging campaigns. Observational evidence comes from all-sky networks, high-speed cameras, and spectral instruments. Meteooriks trails often show two bright strands that veer apart shortly after ablation begins, with a brief, intermittent afterglow. Spectra commonly show emission lines from sodium, magnesium, and iron, indicating ablation from rocky material and high-temperature plasma.

Researchers use meteoorik models to probe meteoroid strength, fragmentation behavior, and upper-atmosphere density. Some scientists argue that many events labeled meteooriks can be explained by conventional bolide fragmentation and projection effects; others maintain that the bifurcated trail is systematic enough to constitute a distinct subgroup, warranting separate modeling. No consensus exists, and the concept remains under study. In addition to scientific interest, meteooriks have implications for aviation and spacecraft risk assessment during peak meteor activity.

See also: meteor, meteorite, bolide, atmospheric entry, ablation, meteoroid.