Abstract
We present and discuss two examples of pulsating meteor events observed with the tristatic 930 MHz EISCAT UHF radar system. One of them provides the first strong observational evidence of a submillimeter‐sized meteoroid breaking apart into two distinct fragments. The received power fluctuates regularly in the time profiles of all three receivers, but the fluctuation frequencies are different. The pulsations are interpreted as being due to interference from two distinct scattering centers and the three detected pulsation rates are utilized to calculate the differential velocity of the fragments. The result is consistent with interference from two fragments of unequal cross‐sectional area over mass ratio, separating from each other due to different deceleration along the trajectory of their parent meteoroid. The other meteor event is an example of a meteoroid undergoing quasi‐continuous disintegration. This manifests itself as simultaneous pulsations at all three receivers. Both observations indicate a head echo target upper size limit of the order of half the 32 cm radar wavelength.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
