Seasonal and Local Time Variation in the Observed Peak of the Meteor Altitude Distributions by Meteor Radars
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Meteoroids of sub‐milligram sizes burn up high in the Earth's atmosphere and cause streaks of plasma trails detectable by meteor radars. The altitude at which these trails, or meteors, form depends on a number of factors including atmospheric density and the astronomical source populations from which these meteoroids originate. A previous study has shown that the altitude of these meteors is affected by long‐term linear trends and the 11‐year solar cycle related to changes in our atmosphere. In this work, we examine how shorter diurnal and seasonal variations in the altitude distribution of meteors are dependent on the geographical location at which the measurements are performed. We use meteoroid altitude data from 18 independent meteor radar stations at a broad range of latitudes and investigate whether there are local time (LT) and seasonal variations in the altitude of the peak meteor height, defined as the majority detection altitude of all meteors within a certain period, which differ from those expected purely from the variation in the visibility of their astronomical source. We find a consistent LT and seasonal response for the Northern Hemisphere locations regardless of latitude. However, the Southern Hemisphere locations exhibit much greater LT and seasonal variation. In particular, we find a complex response in the four stations located within the Southern Andes region, which indicates that the strong dynamical atmospheric activity, such as the gravity waves prevalent here, disrupts, and masks the seasonality and dependence on the astronomical sources.
DOI: 10.1029/2024jd040978
Authors: E. C. M. Dawkins, D. Janches, G. Stober, J. D. Carrillo‐Sánchez, R. S. Lieberman, C. Jacobi, T. Moffat‐Griffin, N. J. Mitchell, N. Cobbett, P. P. Batista, V. F. Andrioli, R. A. Buriti, D. J. Murphy, J. Kero, N. Gulbrandsen, M. Tsutsumi, A. Kozlovsky, M. Lester, J.‐H. Kim, C. Lee, A. Liu, B. Fuller, D. O’Connor, S. E. Palo, M. J. Taylor, J. Marino, N. Rainville
Institutions: Goddard Space Flight Center, Catholic University of America, University of Bern, Leipzig University, British Antarctic Survey, University of Bath, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, National Space Science Center, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Australian Antarctic Division, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, National Institute of Polar Research, University of Oulu, University of Leicester, Korea Polar Research Institute, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Florida Campus, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Colorado Boulder, Utah State University
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,880
Funders: National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Sight Research UK, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea Polar Research Institute, NASA Engineering and Safety Center, Natural Environment Research Council, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Australian Antarctic Division
OpenAlex ID: W4404055747