Meteor observed by weather satellite

The meteor’s trajectory and the light flashes it produced were captured by the advanced instruments on the Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite. By analyzing the preliminary data from the Lightning Imager, scientists were able to track the meteor’s path across the skies over Spain and Portugal.

The animation generated from the Lightning Imager data reveals a series of light flashes accumulated over a span of six seconds. These flashes correspond to the meteor’s movement across the instrument’s field of view, offering a unique perspective on this celestial event from the satellite’s vantage point in geostationary orbit.

By studying the sequence of light flashes, astronomers can reconstruct the meteor’s trajectory and estimate key parameters such as:

• Velocity: The speed at which the meteor was traveling, which was reported to be over 160,000 km/h.
• Entry angle: The angle at which the meteor entered Earth’s atmosphere, influencing its path and burn-up characteristics.
• Brightness variation: Changes in the meteor’s brightness over time, providing insights into its composition and fragmentation.
• Ground path: By triangulating the data with ground-based observations, the meteor’s ground path can be estimated, helping locate potential meteorite fall sites.

Additionally, the data from the Lightning Imager can be combined with observations from other instruments, such as the fireball camera in Caceres, Spain, operated by ESA’s Planetary Defence Office. This multi-instrument approach enhances the understanding of meteor events, contributing to ongoing efforts in planetary defense and space situational awareness.

The Lightning Imager on the Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite is a remarkable instrument, designed primarily for detecting lightning strikes across Europe, Africa, and surrounding waters. However, its capabilities extend far beyond its intended purpose, as demonstrated by its ability to capture the meteor event over Spain and Portugal on May 18.

This modern instrument boasts four cameras, each capable of capturing up to 1,000 images per second. Combined, these cameras continuously monitor over 80% of the Earth’s disc, providing a comprehensive view of lightning activity, whether occurring between clouds or between clouds and the ground.

The Lightning Imager’s unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution allows it to detect even the faintest flashes of light, making it an invaluable tool for weather forecasters. By monitoring lightning activity, meteorologists can enhance their predictions of severe storms, particularly in remote regions and over oceans where ground-based lightning detection systems are limited or non-existent.

While designed for lightning detection, the Lightning Imager’s sensitivity to light flashes also proved instrumental in capturing the meteor event. As the meteor streaked across the skies, its fiery trail left a series of bright flashes that the instrument’s cameras were able to detect and record. This serendipitous observation showcases the versatility of the instrument and its potential for supporting other scientific endeavors beyond its primary mission.

The data collected by the Lightning Imager during the meteor event can provide valuable insights into the celestial object’s characteristics, such as its speed, trajectory, and fragmentation pattern. By combining this data with ground-based observations from fireball cameras and other instruments, scientists can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the meteor’s journey through Earth’s atmosphere.

Furthermore, the Lightning Imager’s ability to capture such transient events from its unique vantage point in geostationary orbit opens up new avenues for research and monitoring. It could potentially aid in the detection and tracking of other celestial phenomena, such as bright meteors, fireballs, and even space debris, contributing to our understanding of the dynamic environment surrounding our planet.