Detection of Meteors by Radio Wave Reflection
Poster Number
20
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
James Hetrick
Faculty Mentor Department
Physics
Abstract/Artist Statement
Every day, tiny meteors strike the Earth and burn up in the atmosphere (~200 km). As this occurs, they ionize a very long (100+ km) thin line of air, which for a brief time acts as a conductor. Tuning a computer controlled radio to the frequency of a TV station broadcasting in San Jose, which cannot normally be received, short "reflection" signals can be detected when these radio waves reflect from the ionization trail of the meteor in our direction. These events can be measured and analyzed for occurrence.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
20-4-2013 10:00 AM
End Date
20-4-2013 12:00 PM
Detection of Meteors by Radio Wave Reflection
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Every day, tiny meteors strike the Earth and burn up in the atmosphere (~200 km). As this occurs, they ionize a very long (100+ km) thin line of air, which for a brief time acts as a conductor. Tuning a computer controlled radio to the frequency of a TV station broadcasting in San Jose, which cannot normally be received, short "reflection" signals can be detected when these radio waves reflect from the ionization trail of the meteor in our direction. These events can be measured and analyzed for occurrence.