The TECHNIQUE


Thousand of small celestial bodies fall annually on the earth, they are majority of small measurements and create the very known luminous phenomenon of  THE FALLING STAR.

It is possible to observe this phenomenon outside of the visible window. Indeed the meteor when he penetrates in the atmosphere of the EARTH creates behind him a local ionization, that to the property to think the electromagnetic waves of the specter radio. It is possible to observe " the meteor indirectly " by the receipt of an echo radio on the ionized trail.

Physic principle of the radio meteors echoes
PRINCIPLE OF THE RADIO METEOR DETECTION
The transmitter are "visible" for the receptor (at right) only if the meteor reflect on is ionised trail.

Ecouter le bruit de fond FMBelow click on this icon to hear the "song" we propose !

  • The receive is called outside of the radio emisson (clear frequency).FM backgroud noise this is the characteristic noise of the FM, whitout modulation.

  • Meteor echoe Good Echoeby on the trail of the meteor. We hear a radio briefly.

  • The majority of echoes is very fast and is in the noise. Faint Echoe

This echoes is not available on all frequency. He exists the low and high limits that depend on levels of ionization produces by the meteor. The speed of impact of the meteor and the mass condition the rate of ionization. More speed and mass = reflection to high frequencies is possible. the frequency used is 15 to 500 MHz. For more scientific description see IMO web site.

Indication here is for Europe. It is the frequencies presenting an interest in this type of monitoring.

For the Public :

  • In East of Europe some countries use some exotic frequencies again for the FM broadcasting. The radio of Budapest in Hungary for example transmit on 66,62 MHz ! As these frequencies are used little in Western Europe us have all leisure to do a monitoring without embarrass by the local emitters. It is possible to acquire a receiver FM capable to receive these frequencies while buying it in these countries or by correspondence. Here are some useful frequencies:

  • 66.35 MHz, Klaipeda, Lithuania 12 kW, 05h00-22h00
    66.47 MHz Viesintos Lithuania 12 kW 05h00-22h00
    66.62 MHz Budapest Hungary 100 kW 24h/24h
    66.68 MHz Valmiera Latvia 20 kW 04h30-22h00

  • The CB in 27 MHz are possible ! but the " stability " of emitters and the propagation in this band is doubtful.

The radio amateur band :

  • All radio amateurs band are usables, except the high frequencies up to 432 MHz.

  • The meteor Scattering on 144 MHz and 432 MHz is a classic activity.

Next step