Using VHF Radars to Probe the Atmosphere

Book excerpt: Columns of ions left by the passage of meteors through the 80- to 100-km altitude region are used as tracers to monitor the wind and density variations of the high atmosphere. Recent equipment development with pulse-interferometers operating in the 20- to 75-MHz band has made it possible to obtain more accurate information on the location of the reflection point on the ionized meteor trail. Analyses of the wind and density data obtained at AFCRL, at Stanford, California, Durham, New Hampshire, and Eglin AFB, Florida are reviewed. Rocket and meteor trail wind observations were obtained at Eglin AFB and, for a separation of 150 km, show reasonable comparisons within one hour. Poor comparisons at larger space and time separations are attributed to large-scale horizontal eddies (gravity waves). (Author Modified Abstract).