Meteoroid Bulk Density Determination Using Radar Head Echo Observations |
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| Authors: | K Drew P G Brown S Close D Durand |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Western ontario, London, ON, Canada;(2) MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Boston, USA |
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| Abstract: | We present the results of a study of meteoroid bulk densities determined from meteor head echoes observed by radar. Meteor
observations were made using the Advanced Research Projects Agency Long-Range Tracking And Instrumentation Radar (ALTAIR).
ALTAIR is particularly well suited to the detection of meteor head echoes, being capable of detecting upwards of 1000 meteor
head echoes per hour. Data were collected for 19 beam pointings and are comprised of approximately 70 min. of VHF observations.
During these observations the ALTAIR beam was directed largely at the north apex sporadic source. Densities are calculated
using the classical physical theory of meteors. Meteoroid masses are determined by applying a full wave scattering theory
to the observed radar cross-section. Observed meteoroids are predominantly in the 10−10 to 10−6 kg mass range. We find that the vast majority of meteoroid densities are consistent with low density, highly porous objects
as would be expected from cometary sources. The median calculated bulk density was found to be 900 kg/m3. The orbital distribution of this population of meteoroids was found to be highly inclined. |
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| Keywords: | meteorids bulk density interplanetary dust radar head echo |
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