A determination of the strengths of the sporadic radio-meteor sources

We have calculated the response functions for the Springhill (Ottawa) and Christchurch (New Zealand) radars. Using the sizes and locations of each of the six sporadic radio-meteor sources found in our previous study (Jones and Brown, 1993), we have determined the response of each radar to each of the sources. Then, using least-squares fit to data collected over several years, we have determined the strength of each source. Excellent agreement with the non-radar data is obtained for the total flux after application of a correction for the initial train radius. The results from the two radars show good consistency for the sources which are visible to both of them. For individual years the fits are good to between 5 and 10% but there does appear to be some variability from year to year which may be due to atmospheric effects.Presented at theInternational Conference on Meteoroids 28–31 August 1994 in Bratislava.Submited to Earth, Moon and Planets