Geminid meteoroids traced to cometary activity on Phaethon

Abstract

Opportunities for transfer of twenty Geminid meteoroids from Phaethon were found by integrating the equations of motion back in time along with Phaethon. Examination of the conditions for transfer show that the meteoroids could have been ejected under circumstances (location, speed and directions of ejection) that are possible or even expected during cometary activity. Phaethon's active period would be no more than 2000 years ago and may have been within the last 600 years. While other means of formation of the Geminid meteoroids cannot be ruled out, they are less likely based on this investigation.