Mesospheric observations by a forward scattering meteor radar basic setup

Abstract

The durations of radio echo signals scattered from meteor ionized trails might not show a consistent increase corresponding to higher density trails due to the rapid removal of meteor ions at certain heights. Several studies have concluded the dominant role of the secondary ozone layer over diffusion in the removal of the meteor trails below 95 km through chemical oxidization of the meteor ions. Using a basic setup configuration of a forward scattering receiver, a trial to observe the mesospheric ozone concentration was performed by analyzing the meteor echo duration distributions. The forward scattered meteor echoes have the advantage of long durations that can enable observing the transition from the diffusion-removal regime to the chemistry-removal regime. The cumulative meteor echo duration distribution of two meteor showers, the Perseids and the Geminids, were analyzed over 10 years and the chemistry-removal regime in each shower was observed. The knee duration position at which a drop in the number of long overdense meteor echoes starts differed by around 30 seconds between the two showers. As the secondary ozone concentration is inversely related to the solar activity level, the Geminids 2011 corresponding to a high solar activity level showed a significant higher counts of long duration echoes compared to the Geminids 2006 during a low activity level, with the knee position shifted to longer duration. The knee positions obtained during the two distinct meteor showers and the two half solar cycle points are generally in agreement with the mesospheric ozone conditions expected in each case. However, continuous data record is required for the other meteor showers and the sporadic meteors at different heights to observe the mesospheric ozone concentration vertically and the full 11-years solar cycle.