ORIGIN OF THE TAURID METEOR STREAM

The origin of the Taurid meteor stream is investigated on the basis of the assumption that the complete set of observable quantities may be explained as a simultaneous action of nongravitational forces acting o n meteoroids ejected from the parent body represented only by comet P/ Encke. Discussion is concentrated on the problem of whether or not the assumption of the importance of nongravitational forces is acceptable . Numerical values for nongravitational acceleration are presented. A time evolution from 10,000 to 15,000 years is considered and graphical ly presented. The test is made for dust particles ejected at perihelia of the orbit of the comet Encke. The particles are released at veloci ties of 20-600 m s(-1). Gravitational perturbations of all planets and nongravitational effects are considered. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.