LXI. The fluctuation and fading of radio echoes from meteor trails

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the amplitude fluctuations observed in the radio waves reflected from meteor trails. Subsequent to the initial diffraction phenomena the radio echoes exhibit fluctuations of period between 0·01 and 0·1 seconds, when observed on radio wave frequencies of 36 to 72 Mc./s. These fluctuations have been investigated simultaneously on two radio wave frequencies and it is concluded that the phenomenon is due to wind gradients in the high atmosphere which cause the trail of meteor ionization to break up. In this way several reflecting regions are formed which give an interference pattern moving over the observing station.