Theory of the Radio?Echo Meteor Height Distribution in a Non-isothermal Atmosphere

Abstract

The theory of the distribution in height of the echoing points of shower meteors and of sporadic meteors belonging to a homogeneous velocity group, is extended to the case of a model atmosphere in which the scale height is a linear function of height. The mean and the r.m.s. deviation from the mean of the height distribution in this atmosphere are obtained in terms of tabulated functions, and the dependence of these parameters upon the scale height gradient is evaluated. Neither parameter varies strongly with the scale height gradient unless the incident meteors include a large proportion of massive particles. Experimental cut-off and the approximations made in the formulation of the theory limit the accuracy with which atmospheric scale height and density can be determined from observed heights of sporadic meteors.