Symposium: Small meteoric particles in the earth's neighborhood: Radar studies of 15th-magnitude meteors

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (5) References (4) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Symposium: Small meteoric particles in the earth's neighborhood: Radar studies of 15th-magnitude meteors Eshleman, V. R. ; Gallagher, P. B. Abstract Radar studies of the trails produced by 15th-magnitude meteors (trail electron densities of 1010 m-') have been conducted using a 100-kw transmitter at a wavelength of 13 m, and a 2000-ft linear array made up of 48 four-element Yagi antennas. Number-mass, number-velocity, and number-time distributions of these very small particles show some features similar to those predicted from studies of larger meteors, but other characteristics are markedly different. Of particular interest is the fact that the meteor echo rate, measured at the same time of day for several years, shows day-to-day fluctuations much greater than would be ob- tained from independent sporadic meteors, with little or no correlation with the well-known showers of larger particles. This rate variation does not appear to be due to radio-wave absorption or other atmospheric effects. It is suggested that the "sporadic" background of meteors is in reality a mixture of short-lived showers, with about 10 shower groupings being simultaneously present on the average. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: June 1962 DOI: 10.1086/108703 Bibcode: 1962AJ.....67..245E full text sources ADS |