The meteor radar response function: Theory and application to narrow beam MST radar

The meteor radar response function is an important tool for analyzing meteor backscatter observed by radar systems. We extend previous work on the development of the response function to include a non-uniform meteor ionization profile, provided by meteor ablation theory, in contrast to what has been assumed in the past. This has the advantage that the height distribution of meteors expected to be observed by a radar meteor system may be accurately modeled. Such modeling leads to meteor height distributions that have implications for the composition of those meteoroids ablating at high altitudes which may be observed by “non-traditional” meteor radars operating at MF/HF. The response function is then employed to investigate meteor backscatter observed by narrow beam MST radars which in recent years have been used increasingly to observe meteors.