Local and long-distance effects of meteor showers in the low ionosphere

Abstract

The effect of the Geminids and α Scorpiids meteor showers in the lower ionosphere have been observed using two different methods. Low ionosphere group heights, measured by a VLF ionosonde located in southern Brazil, indicated significant anomalous lowering of the effective reflection height which was in good correlation with the transit of the α Scorpiids stream. The group reflection coefficients also showed very pronounced correlated variations. The diurnal VLF phase variations over two long-distance propagation paths showed significant phase deviations from the average during the transits of the showers' radiants. Geomagnetic activity during the periods concerned was low and the results obtained using the two different techniques confirm the occurrence of changes in the physical conditions of the low ionosphere produced by meteor showers on local, as well as on long-distance, scales.