The Harvard radio-meteor program.

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (2) References Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The Harvard radio-meteor program. Hawkins, Gerald S. ; Hemenway, Curtis L. ; Whipple, Fred L. Abstract Harvard College Observatory, in conjunction with the Lincoln Laboratory of M.I.T., is embarking on an extensive program for the study of meteors by radar methods. A megawatt transmitter and six receiving stations are being set up in southern Massachusetts to be operated during the International Geophysical Year. The antennae will be broadside arrays each containing approximately 100 dipoles tuned to 32 megacycles and phased to radiate or receive at an elevation of 450 in an easterly direction. The experiment will give information on the radiant, velocity, and deceleration, of individual meteors down to 12th magnitude. In this way accurate orbits will be obtained for both sporadic and stream meteors. With the help of an electronic computer it is hoped to obtain 10,000 accurate orbits, from which we can determine the gross distribution of sporadic orbits and the structure of meteor streams. The orbital distribution will give the rate of meteor influx to the earth's surface as a function of time and location. Echo characteristics will give information on the diffusion of the trail and winds in the upper atmosphere. In addition the echo amplitude will be measured at six points along a meteor trail giving a direct measure of the ionization curve of individual meteors. It is anticipated that these curves will permit the fragmentation process to be studied for radio meteors, which, together with orbital data, should extend our knowledge of the origin of these particles. Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, Mass. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: 1956 DOI: 10.1086/107389 Bibcode: 1956AJ.....61Q.179H full text sources ADS |