Credit: Me :D

Meteors and space objects:
science updates


Daniel Kastinen

Johan Kero, Tsz-Hin Heung, Hampus Andersson, Peje Nilsson, Fredrik Rutqvist
+(PhD student Jhassmin Aricoche and post-doc TBD)

Current students: Signe Stjernstoft, Matej Suhajda, Katrina Yzabel Baladjaym, Lasse Dragsjø

And collaborators!

Credit: Me :D

Meteors and space objects:
science updates

So what are meteors and space objects?

Meteors and space objects

The connection

Making of a meteor

The objects

Meteors and space objects:
science updates

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust
  • Space debris
  • Asteroids and comets
  • Solar system dynamics
  • Mesosphere and lower thermosphere
  • Tools and synergy

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust

Make databases for MAARSY, MU, PANSY radars

Hampus Andersson: make pipelines operational, general purpose packages

Juha Vierinen, UiT: collaborating on MAARSY and PANSY

High-power large-aperture phased-array radars
(~500-1000 antennas, ~0.5-1 MW transmitter, ~100 m aperture)

Make databases for MAARSY, MU, PANSY radars

MAARSY, Andøya

Credit: IAP Kühlungsborn

Make databases for MAARSY, MU, PANSY radars

Credit: IAP Kühlungsborn

Draft soon ready to submit!

Make databases for MAARSY, MU, PANSY radars

MU, Shigaraki Japan

Make databases for MAARSY, MU, PANSY radars

Re-process data this year (with upgrades) - then publish

Make databases for MAARSY, MU, PANSY radars

PANSY, Syowa Antarctica

Foto: JARE65 Manami Yamaoka

Make databases for MAARSY, MU, PANSY radars

Foto: JARE65 Manami Yamaoka

Parallel receiver - managed by Juha Vierinen
Meteor mode - we will reprocess with MU data

Make databases for MAARSY, MU, PANSY radars

Upgrades:

  • Automatic calibration (radio sources)
  • Faster signal processing
  • Bayesian inference with better likelihood function
  • Bayesian model selection using evidence
  • Estimate meteoroid physical parameters
  • Orbit dynamical characterization
  • ...

Make databases for MAARSY, MU, PANSY radars

But also prepare for EISCAT_3D with generalized tools!

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust

Fitting ablation models to observational data

Collaboration: Maria Gritsevich, Ellie Sansom, (two paper drafts)

Fitting ablation models to observational data

Meteoroid's equations of motion $$ \begin{align*} M\frac{dV}{dt}=&-\frac{1}{2}c_{D}\rho_{a}V^{2}S + M g \sin(\gamma) \\ \frac{dh}{dt}=&-V\sin \gamma \\ MV \frac{d\gamma}{dt} =& \left (M g - \frac{M V^2}{R} \right ) \cos(\gamma) - \frac{1}{2}c_{L}\rho_{a}V^{2}S \\ H^{\ast }\frac{dM}{dt}=&-\frac{1}{2}c_{h}\rho _{a}V^{3}S \end{align*} $$

Analytic solution possible (with some assumptions)!

Fitting ablation models to observational data

Analytic solution possible (with some assumptions)!

Free parameters:

  • $v_0$ = initial velocity
  • $\alpha$ = ballistic coefficient
  • $\beta$ = mass loss parameter

Numerical model: 5-20 free parameters

Fitting ablation models to observational data

Different models
&
Different ways to fit the model

Fitting ablation models to observational data

Fitting ablation models to observational data

Fitting ablation models to observational data

Fitting ablation models to observational data

Fitting ablation models to observational data

Working on improving the models we fit to the data

We will use EISCAT_3D to mitigate this issue!

Fitting ablation models to observational data

This is the trajectory, what about the "amplitude" (radar cross section)?

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust

Modelling plasma production during ablation

Collaboration: Meers Oppenheim (Boston University)
Student internship: Katrina Yzabel Baladjay

Analytic solution possible:

Modelling plasma production during ablation

Analytic solution possible:

$$ n_{p} = \frac{8\pi r_M^2 n_0 n_a}{\sqrt{3}} \left ( 1 + \frac{m_m}{m_A} \right ) G_{ion}(U) \frac{ D(R, \theta) }{R} $$ $$ D(R, \theta) = f_1(R, \cos(\theta)) |\cos(\theta)| + f_2(R) \cos(\theta) + f_3(R, \cos(\theta)) $$

$G_{ion}$ = differential cross section for ionizing collisions

Modelling plasma production during ablation

Analytic solution possible:

$$ f_3(R, \cos(\theta)) = \int_{|\cos(\theta)|}^1 \sqrt{1 + \frac{2 \xi_0^{\frac{2}{3}}}{\pi} \left ( \frac{R}{\lambda_T} \right )^{\frac{2}{3}} } \text{exp} \left ( - \frac{3 \xi_0^{\frac{2}{3}}}{2} \left ( \frac{R}{\lambda_T} \right )^{\frac{2}{3}} \right ) \\ \times \sqrt{\frac{\xi_0^2 - \cos^2(\theta)}{1 - \xi_0^2}} \mathrm{d}\xi_0 \\ + |\cos(\theta)| \int_{|\cos(\theta)|}^1 \sqrt{1 + \frac{2 \xi_0^{\frac{2}{3}}}{\pi} \left ( \frac{R}{\lambda_T} \right )^{\frac{2}{3}} } \text{exp} \left ( - \frac{3 \xi_0^{\frac{2}{3}}}{2} \left ( \frac{R}{\lambda_T} \right )^{\frac{2}{3}} \right ) \\ \times \text{arcsin} \left ( \frac{\sqrt{1 - \xi_0^2} |\cos(\theta)|}{\xi_0 \sqrt{1 - \cos^2(\theta)}} \right ) \mathrm{d}\xi_0 $$

Modelling plasma production during ablation

Modelling plasma production during ablation

Modelling plasma production during ablation

Aim: connect radar cross section observations with ablation models

Using RCS observations to detect interesting ablation physics

  • Idea about fragmentation and differential ablation detection
  • Sara Våden, Master thesis at UiT looked at EISCAT and MAARSY data

John Plane, 2012

Using RCS observations to detect interesting ablation physics

  • Sara Våden, Master thesis at UiT looked at EISCAT and MAARSY data

Using RCS observations to detect interesting ablation physics

  • Sara Våden, Master thesis at UiT looked at EISCAT and MAARSY data

We should continue to look closer and publish later

EISCAT_3D can mitigate this issue!
(+supplementary instrumentation, e.g. ALIS_4D)

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust

Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Slow burner - collaborations with

  • Eric Stempels, Uppsala universitet
  • Denis Vida, Western University, Global meteor network
  • Steinar Midtskogen, Norsk Meteornettverk
  • Jaakko Visuri, Ursa Astronomical Association, Finland
  • Sirko Molau, AllSky7 Fireball Network
  • ...

Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Video: Kiruna IRF AllSky7 meteor camera

Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Current status:

Master thesis: Oliver Jansson (2025) "Meteors detection with AllSky7"

Master thesis: Petter Möllerström (2024) "Calibration of Meteor Cameras"

  • Real-time station keeping system done
  • Processing using Global Meteor Network software ongoing
  • Computers, network, and installation process designed
  • Site preparations done
  • Timing calibration done - exploring easier options now (custom firmware)
  • Todo: archiving, operational pipeline, field testing

Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust

Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust
  • Make databases for MAARSY, MU, PANSY radars
  • Fitting ablation models to observational data
  • Modelling plasma production during ablation
  • Using RCS observations to detect interesting ablation physics
  • Rejuvenate Swedish meteor camera network

Meteors and space objects:
science updates

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust
  • Space debris
  • Asteroids and comets
  • Solar system dynamics
  • Mesosphere and lower thermosphere
  • Tools and synergy

Ongoing projects within

  • Space debris

Nordic Space Tracking Radar (NOSTRA)

Nordic Space Tracking Radar (NOSTRA)

Daniel Kastinen Johan Kero Tsz-Hin Heung
Sari Lasanen Marko Leinonen Tomi Teppo
Tom Grydeland Liliana Macotela Bård Kårtveit

Nordic Space Tracking Radar (NOSTRA)

Nordic Space Tracking Radar (NOSTRA)

The mission of NOSTRA is to establish a Nordic capability for routine monitoring of space debris and satellites, serving civilian, dual-use, and academic needs.

Adding unique observations, tracking, and cataloguing to monitoring frameworks strengthens collision avoidance, space safety, and strategic autonomy.

In parallel, the programme will foster academic research, education, and long-term industrial and scientific competence across the Nordic region.

Nordic Space Tracking Radar (NOSTRA)

Nordic Space Tracking Radar (NOSTRA)

Nordic Space Tracking Radar (NOSTRA)

Nordic Space Tracking Radar (NOSTRA)

Running dynamic simulations using our software

Tsz-Hin Heung: Refactor simulation software sorts, publish stable version

We and others will use sorts for future work!

Nordic Space Tracking Radar (NOSTRA)

Preliminary performance simulations:

The system could perform on par with the entire sensor capacity of the EU combined

Next phase funding 1.7 M€ confirmed
IRF lead, SE (50%), NO (25%), FI (25%)

Ongoing projects within

  • Space debris

Space debris observations with EISCAT_3D

Jhassmin Aricoche, PhD project:
Ionospheric radio wave propagation and radar observations of space objects

Admitted to UmU as PhD student - start in March

Start by using EISCAT VHF and UHF!

Ongoing projects within

  • Space debris

Space debris observations with EISCAT_3D

Ongoing projects within

  • Space debris

Space debris observations with EISCAT_3D

Ongoing projects within

  • Space debris

Space debris observations with EISCAT_3D

    Goals:

  • Increase our understanding - which effects, what limitations
  • Characterize the effects - e.g. disturbed conditions
  • Enable observations - make practical, pipelines, experiments
  • Work on the big picture - e.g. ionospheric reconstruction

Ongoing projects within

  • Space debris
  • Space debris observations with EISCAT_3D
  • Nordic Space Tracking Radar (NOSTRA)

Meteors and space objects:
science updates

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust
  • Space debris
  • Asteroids and comets
  • Solar system dynamics
  • Mesosphere and lower thermosphere
  • Tools and synergy

Ongoing projects within

  • Asteroids and comets

Ejection speed models for
meteoroids and dust from cometary sublimation

  • Crifo and Rodionov 1997, Rodionov et al. 2002, Fanale and Salvail 1984
    Gas production and temperature, solar zenith angle
    Particle ejection velocity
  • Vaubaillon 2005
    Total mass production per unit time calibrated from observations

Ejection speed models for
meteoroids and dust from cometary sublimation

Cometary outbursts, meteoroid stream simulations

Collaboration: Gabriel Borderes Motta (Astronomical Institute, Czech Republic)

Credit: Alnitak telescope (I79), Nick James, The British Astronomical Association

Cometary outbursts, meteoroid stream simulations

Collaboration: Gabriel Borderes Motta (Astronomical Institute, Czech Republic)

Cometary outbursts, meteoroid stream simulations

Model needs validation, than finishing analysis and manuscript writing

Ongoing projects within

  • Asteroids and comets

RAMSES and EISCAT observations of Near Earth Objects

Funding = ? at the moment, lets see

Ongoing projects within

  • Asteroids and comets
  • Ejection speed models for
    meteoroids and dust from cometary sublimation
  • Cometary outbursts, meteoroid stream simulations
  • RAMSES and EISCAT observations of Near Earth Objects

Meteors and space objects:
science updates

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust
  • Space debris
  • Asteroids and comets
  • Solar system dynamics
  • Mesosphere and lower thermosphere
  • Tools and synergy

Ongoing projects within

  • Solar system dynamics

Detecting chaos and characterizing dynamics of meteoroids

Detecting chaos and characterizing dynamics of meteoroids

Master thesis: Signe Stjernstoft

Collaboration: Juha Vierinen and using MAARSY data

    Goals:

  • Use and improve chaos indicators in rebound
  • Characterize dynamics using e.g. frequency analysis
  • Handle practical issues like close encounters
  • Application: characterize MAARSY database

Detecting chaos and characterizing dynamics of meteoroids

Master thesis: Signe Stjernstoft

Better tooling for these simulations

Internship: Matej Suhajda

Making simulations reproducible and easier to use

Building up the dasst package!

Non-gravitational effects and meteoroid streams

Master thesis: Lasse Dragsjø

Juha Vierinen main supervisor + me as co-supervisor

Detecting non-gravitational effects in meteoroid streams with MAARSY

Non-gravitational effects and meteoroid streams

Master thesis: Lasse Dragsjø

Poynting-Robertson effect

Non-gravitational effects and meteoroid streams

Master thesis: Lasse Dragsjø

Meteors and space objects:
science updates

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust
  • Space debris
  • Asteroids and comets
  • Solar system dynamics
  • Mesosphere and lower thermosphere
  • Tools and synergy

Ongoing projects within

  • Mesosphere and lower thermosphere

Proposal to Swedish Space Research School

  • PhD student shared between
    IRF & Department of Meteorology, Stockholm University
  • Linda Megner - co-supervisor
  • Title: Atmospheric Effects of Spacecraft Re-entry

Proposal to Swedish Space Research School

Proposal to Swedish Space Research School

Ongoing projects within

  • Mesosphere and lower thermosphere

Proposal to Swedish Space Research School

Goals:

  • Gather and analyse data on re-entry events from available instrumentation
  • Incorporate the empirical findings obtained from re-entry observations into atmospheric models.

Meteors and space objects:
science updates

Ongoing projects within

  • Meteors, meteoroids, and dust
  • Space debris
  • Asteroids and comets
  • Solar system dynamics
  • Mesosphere and lower thermosphere
  • Tools and synergy

Ongoing projects within

  • Tools and synergy
  • Building open source frameworks and tools
  • Research program computation and storage server
  • Software developer guide
  • Trying out a Software task force

Thanks for listening!