Radio science aspects of radar meteor observations: Where are we?

Abstract

Detailed understanding of the radio science of (HPLA and “classical”) radar headand trail-echo radar scattering is required to correctly interpret observations. This understanding depends on mutually informed modeling and observation techniques. Observations yield intra-pulse and pulse-to-pulse details of each event that, via modeling, suggests how the plasma surrounding the meteoroid-and that then forms the meteor trail-is generated and evolves. This in turn reveals insight into underlying physical processes such as sputtering, fragmentation, flaring, and terminal processes relative to the more traditional (differential) ablation view of how the meteoroid interacts with the atmosphere. Details of these processes remain a source of controversy demanding further investigation.