A robust method to identify meteor showers new parent bodies from the SonotaCo and EDMOND meteoroid orbit databases

Abstract

Context. Several new meteor showers are added to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) list of meteor showers every year. Given the multiplication of video meteor measurements new parent bodies are to be found in addition to new showers. Such an endeavor is usually performed by comparing orbital elements, using a high threshold single-linking Dsh-criterion. However, questions remain about the accuracy of the method and the veracity of the newly associated parent bodies. Aims. Our goal is to find the presence of new parent bodies in a statistical meaningful way. Methods. A search for parent bodies was performed among SonotaCo and EDMOND databases. The association of asteroids with meteors was based on different methods, discussed and compared below. In addition, a thorough statistical test was performed in order to investigate the possible random associations. Results. A list of potential new parent bodies associated with at least 50 meteors is found. A statistical test was used to show whether the group of meteor orbits and the asteroid is a random coincidence or not. Out of 54 potential new parent bodies, only three new parent bodies are not excluded by the statistical test: 2014 BN14, 2015 TX24 and 2015 QT3, with a probability of chance occurrence of 37, 10 and 13%, respectively. This shows the need for rigorous method when searching for the existence of meteor showers and parent bodies. Conclusions. Ideally, such a test (or even better, tests) should be conducted in order to confirm (or not) the current IAU list of meteor showers. Similarly, all meteor orbit data in our databases should ideally be revisited using the latest methods providing a better estimate of the real uncertainty and accuracy of the derived orbits.