Radio Observation of Meteors

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the use of radio methods for the observation of meteors. The aim of meteor observation is to gain knowledge of the distribution in space of meteors of different masses and to understand the events, which occur in the upper atmosphere, that render the meteor detectable. The application of radio methods to the observation of meteors in the past few years is a direct result of the great technical advances in radar technology. This chapter discusses the application of these techniques to the study of meteoric phenomena and to describe a selection of the more important advances in knowledge, both of the meteors themselves and of the upper atmosphere, that have resulted from this study. The chapter outlines a brief historical review of the subject—radio observation of meteors—before the advent of radio techniques and describes the alternative methods of observation, visual and photographic. Radio contributions to meteor astronomy are discussed in the chapter. Some geophysical observations on meteor trails are also elaborated in the chapter.