Simultaneous optical and dual-frequency radar observations of small mass meteors at Arecibo

摘要: Abstract We present simultaneous optical and radar observations of meteors observed over the Arecibo in Puerto Rico. These were obtained during ∼ 24 h time 3 different nights May 2012. The was operating a dual-frequency mode at 430 MHz (UHF) 46.8 MHz (VHF). made 41 frames per second with an Andor Electron Multiplying CCD camera field view 6°, enabling determination accurate horizontal meteor velocities light curves. There are varying detection sensitivities techniques (2 radar, 1 optical). UHF is most sensitive, resulting total 8710 detected that period, while VHF significantly less sensitive—resulting only 278 meteors. least 178 detections. Of all these meteors, 19 simultaneously by instruments. This paper focuses on analysis common events. meteoroid masses determined from curves found to be range 20 μg 1.2 mg did not correlate maximum Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) either radar. In addition, 5 out far side-lobes, beyond main-beam first side-lobe. indicates significant fraction events could side lobes therefore have underestimated Radar Cross Sections (RCS), given smaller backscattered powers received lobes.