Jakub Koukal

Video Meteor Observation in the CEMeNt and SSOVMO Networks in Q1 2026

An overview of meteor shower activity and video observation results in the CEMeNt and SSOVMO networks for the first quarter of 2026, including statistics, radiants and orbit projections. The summary also covers the Quadrantid maximum, the weaker showers typical of the so-called „Great Spring Gap“, and a comparison of observing conditions between the northern and southern hemispheres.

Video Meteor Observation in the CEMeNt and SSOVMO Networks in 2025

The year 2025 marked a significant milestone for the CEMeNt network. For the first time, more than 300,000 single-station meteors were recorded and over 55,000 multi-station orbits were computed. The establishment of the Southern Spectroscopic Observatory in Chile also enabled systematic monitoring of meteor activity in the southern sky.

SMRST v2 - radio meteor observations

Radio meteor observations using the forward-scatter method at the SMRST v2 station with the GRAVES radar enable all-day monitoring of meteor activity and open new options for analysing meteor showers and the sporadic background.

Video observation of meteors in the CEMeNt and SSOVMO networks in September and October 2025

In September and October 2025, tens of thousands of meteors were recorded by the CEMeNt and SSO VMO network cameras with historically highest frequency. The most significant shower was the Orionids with 437 multi-station orbits in the CEMeNt network, followed by the Southern Taurids with 223 orbits. Sporadic background activity reached its maximum in these months with up to twice the frequency compared to spring months, with the total number of recorded orbits exceeding 12,000.

Video observations of meteors in the CEMeNt and SSOVMO networks in July and August 2025

July and August 2025 brought high meteor activity in the CEMeNt and SSO VMO networks. Weather: weaker in July, very favorable in August (events on 25/28 nights). The Perseids were below average this year (max Aug 12, 21:21 UT, ~54 ZHR), but activity was complemented by the SDA, α-Capricornids, and κ-Cygnids. In August, 61,344 single-station meteors and 11,773 multi-station orbits were recorded; CEMeNt 44,610/9,038, SSO VMO 16,734/2,735.

Southern Spectroscopic Observatory of the Valašské Meziříčí Observatory

The Valašské Meziříčí Observatory has launched southern-hemisphere stations for meteor videometry and spectroscopy at Chile’s La Silla and El Sauce observatories. A unified system of cameras and spectrographs high in the Andes delivers cleaner data and higher sensitivity. In the first month, 22,922 meteors were recorded, 3,679 multi-station orbits computed, and the first fireball spectra obtained. Data feed into EDMOND and CAMS(EU).

Video observations of meteors in the CEMeNt network in May and June 2025

May and June 2025: less favourable weather, but records on 22/27 nights. The Eta Aquariids had a below-average maximum (4 May, ZHR 40±9; secondary on 7 May); CEMeNt determined 27 multi-station orbits. The network recorded 5,421→1,083 (May) and 7,408→1,516 (June) orbits. On 13 June, a rare three-member meteor cluster (JEC) with extremely low randomness (≈1.9×10⁻⁵) was captured.

Fragmentation pair of meteors in the early morning of May 9, 2025

In the early morning of May 9, 2025, the CEMeNt network recorded two meteors from the Eta Aquarid stream separated by 2 seconds. Orbit analysis and Monte Carlo (1.6% random; D_D=0.008; D_SH=0.018) confirm a fragmentation pair – likely fragments of a single meteoroid that broke up before entering the atmosphere.

Video Observations of Meteors in the CEMeNt Network in March and April 2025

The period of low meteoric activity ends, at least temporarily, at the end of April. During this period, two relatively strong meteor showers are active - the April Lyrids and eta Aquariids. The maximum of the Lyrid meteor shower in 2025 fell during a period of variable spring weather, yet it was possible to observe a relatively high number of meteors from this shower at Central European Meteor Network (CEMeNt) stations. In March 2025, the CEMeNt network cameras recorded 9,891 single-station meteors, which combined to form 2,198 multi-station trajectories.

Two Bright Fireballs in Early Morning of April 13, 2025

Despite relatively high meteoric activity, the first quarter of 2025 was poor in bright meteors. However, the night of April 12/13, 2025 broke this pattern dramatically. Two bright fireballs were recorded in the late night hours, separated by less than two hours.

Video Observation of Meteors in the CEMeNt Network in January and February 2025

The beginning of 2025 marked the end of high meteor shower activity, with January and February characterized by the 'Great Spring Hole' - a period of minimal meteor activity. Despite unfavorable winter weather and low cloud cover affecting observations, the CEMeNt network recorded historically high numbers of meteors, including 79 multi-station Quadrantid trajectories and record-breaking pairing efficiency of 67.5% in February 2025.

Video Observation of Meteors in the CEMeNt Network in November 2024

November saw continued growth in meteor shower activity. The month had very favorable weather conditions - at least one meteor was recorded on some CEMeNt (Central European Meteor Network) station on 24 nights. The main meteor shower was the Leonids (LEO), with CEMeNt network cameras recording a total of 84 multi-station Leonid paths. In November 2024, the network cameras recorded 13,431 single-station meteors, which combined to form 3,040 multi-station trajectories - historically the highest number in the CEMeNt network since 2009.

Bright bolide on 21st November 2024 over central Moravia

On November 21, 2024, at 01:25:05 UT, a bright bolide illuminated the skies over central Moravia, captured by five wide-field cameras of the Central European Meteor Network (CEMeNt). Designated as fireball 20241121_012505, its atmospheric path extended from Vidče to the southern edge of Olomouc, covering 80.7 km in 1.2 seconds at an entry angle of 37.1° and a pre-atmospheric speed of 72.19 km/s. Identified as part of the Leonid meteor shower, the meteoroid's high-speed retrograde orbit and cometary origin trace back to 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. With an absolute magnitude of -5.7m, the event offered a spectacular glimpse into celestial dynamics.

Bright fireball from the weak June Draconids shower

On June 2, 2024, a rare bright fireball from the weak June ro-Draconids meteor shower (IAU MDC 0686) was captured by six CEMeNt network cameras and spectrographs. The fireball, 20240602_204346, traveled 39.4 km in 1.1 seconds at a pre-atmospheric speed of 36.62 km/s, entering the atmosphere at an angle of 49.1°. Its radiant was in the Draco constellation, and its orbit, with high eccentricity (e = 0.955), linked it to 1P/Halley. Spectral analysis revealed its cometary origin, classifying it as a typical long-period meteoroid.

Slow Fireball and Aurora Borealis