Predicted and measured arrival rates of meteors over forward-scatter links.
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Date
1991
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Abstract
Investigations into currently accepted methods of modelling variations in the
arrival rate of meteors over forward-scatter meteor links have revealed some
shortcomings. In these investigations, particular emphasis is placed on the work
of Rudie due to its current acceptance in the literature. The non-uniform radiant
distribution of meteors measured by Davies and modelled by Rudie, is critically
examined and predictions using these models are compared with measured results
taken over two forward-scatter links in the Southern Hemisphere. A new, alternative
method of including the effect of non-uniform radiant distributions on the
predicted arrival rate of meteors is given. The method used by Rudie to model
Davies' measured radiant distribution is shown to be unnecessarily complicated
and a simpler alternative is given. Furthermore, Rudie's distribution is shown not
to be derived from a particular set of Davies' results as implied by Rudie.
Other non-uniform distributions of meteors are also investigated. Comparisons
between monthly-averaged daily cycles of measured and predicted arrival rates
of meteors for a midpath and an endpath meteor link are used to reveal the validity
and limitations of the published distributions. A new graphical method is used to
aid in determining the validity and limitations of the non-uniform distributions.
Discrepancies in the published predicted and measured annual variations in the
arrival rate of meteors are investigated. Contrary to recently published information,
predicted annual variations in the arrival rate of meteors for meteor radiants
close to the ecliptic are shown to be comparable to measured results.
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1991.
Keywords
Meteor trails., Radio waves--Scattering--Measurement., Theses--Electronic engineering.