HR: 09:40h
AN: SA41A-07    [PDF]
TI: Meteor Observations Near the Arctic Circle
AU: Singer, W
EM: singer@iap-kborn.de
AF: Leibniz-Institue of Atmospheric Physics, Schloss-Str. 6, Kuehlungsborn, 18225 Germany
AU: * von Zahn, U
EM: vonzahn@iap-kborn.de
AF: Leibniz-Institue of Atmospheric Physics, Schloss-Str. 6, Kuehlungsborn, 18225 Germany
AB: Since October 2001, we operate a Skiymet meteor radar at the ALOMAR site (69$\deg$N latitude) close to the Arctic circle. The gain pattern of the antenna covers a broad range in elevation angles and is almost independent of the azimuth. Due to its location, the axis of the radar antenna sweeps through the ecliptic North pole once a day throughout the year. In this geometry, it thus records meteor entry trajectories from a very large portion of the ecliptic Northern hemisphere. We report on the annual variation and altitude dependence of the observed meteor rate while the radar field-of-view is centered on the North ecliptic pole. The maximum meteor rate is reached in June, while the minimum (in January) is almost a factor three less. Independent of this special look direction, we have also report on the observed diurnal variation of the meteor rate throughout all seasons.
DE: 0340 Middle atmosphere--composition and chemistry
DE: 2129 Interplanetary dust
DE: 6205 Asteroids and meteoroids
DE: 6215 Extraterrestrial materials
DE: 6245 Meteors
SC: SPA - Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting