The intensity of diffuse galactic emission reflected by meteor trails

Abstract

ABSTRACT We calculate the reflection of diffuse galactic emission by meteor trails and investigate its potential relationship to meteor radio afterglow (MRA). The formula to calculate the reflection of diffuse galactic emission is derived from a simplified case, assuming that the signals are mirrored by the cylindrical overdense ionization trail of meteors. The overall observed reflection is simulated through a ray tracing algorithm together with the diffuse galactic emission modelled by the Global Sky Model sky model. We demonstrate that the spectrum of the reflected signal is broad-band and follows a power law with a negative spectral index of around −1.3. The intensity of the reflected signal varies with local sidereal time and the brightness of the meteor and can reach 2000 Jy. These results agree with some previous observations of MRAs. Therefore, we think that the reflection of galactic emission by meteor trails can be a possible mechanism causing MRAs, which is worthy of further research.