A potential meteorite-producing Taurid fireball observed in 2021

Abstract On 12 November 2021 a Taurid fireball with an absolute magnitude of -13 was recorded over Spain. This work presents the analysis of this impressive bolide, which penetrated the atmosphere till a remarkable low final height of about 25.1 km above the ground level. A non-zero mass was calculated at the ending point of the luminous trajectory, which means that this event would have produced a meteorite that fell on the ground. Despite the mass of the fragment being small, of around 6.5 g, this would confirm the possibility of Taurid meteorite survival, a debate that was initiated some years ago. The emission spectrum of this fireball is also discussed.

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Publication Details

Journal
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Published
2026-03-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stag570
Primary Topic
Astro and Planetary Science
Type
article
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article

A potential meteorite-producing Taurid fireball observed in 2021

J. M. Madiedo
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Astro and Planetary Science
article

A potential meteorite-producing Taurid fireball observed in 2021

J. M. Madiedo
article en

Abstract

Abstract On 12 November 2021 a Taurid fireball with an absolute magnitude of -13 was recorded over Spain. This work presents the analysis of this impressive bolide, which penetrated the atmosphere till a remarkable low final height of about 25.1 km above the ground level. A non-zero mass was calculated at the ending point of the luminous trajectory, which means that this event would have produced a meteorite that fell on the ground. Despite the mass of the fragment being small, of around 6.5 g, this would confirm the possibility of Taurid meteorite survival, a debate that was initiated some years ago. The emission spectrum of this fireball is also discussed.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (ES), Universidad de Huelva (ES)
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Astro and Planetary Science
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