Saturnian mean motion resonances in meteoroid streams

Abstract

Many previous works have shown the relevance and dynamics of Jovian mean motion resonances (MMR) in various meteoroid streams. These resonant swarms are known to have produced spectacular meteor displays in the past. In this work, we investigate whether any MMR due to Saturn are feasible, and subsequently check whether such effects are strong enough to trap meteoroids so as to cause enhanced meteor phenomena on Earth. Extensive numerical simulations are done on two major meteoroid streams, which are known to exhibit exterior Jovian resonances. The roles of the 1:6 and 5:14 Jovian MMR have already been studied in the Orionids and Leonids, respectively. Now we find strong evidence of 1:3 and 8:9 Saturnian MMR in Orionids and Leonids, respectively. The presence of compact dust trails in real space due to these two Saturnian resonances is confirmed from our calculations. © 2013 The Authors.