DETERMINATION OF THE ELEMENTS OF METEOR PATHS FROM RADAR OBSERVATIONS

Abstract

Methods of determining meteor velocities from single-station observations are discussed. Where three-station observations are available both the velocity and the elements of the meteor's path through the atmosphere can be computed in favorable cases. These methods are applied to a selected daytime meteor, recorded by the three radar stations at 17h 59m 48s E.S.T., Aug. 4, 1948. The following elements of the meteor's path have been obtained from the radar data:—Apparent geocentric velocity    35.0 ± 0.4 km. per sec.True bearing of apparent radiant    074° ± 2°Elevation of apparent radiant    2° ± 2°Total radar path length    270 km.Height above sea level    108 − 104 km.These values lead to an orbit similar to one of the short-period comets, with these elements:—Semi-major axis    a    2.66Eccentricity    e    0.87Angle node to perihelion    ω    294°.9Longitude of node        132°.4Inclination    i    33°.6Period    P    4.33 years