Enhanced sporadic E occurrence rates during the Geminid meteor showers 2006–2010

[摘要] Northern Hemisphere midlatitude sporadic E (E_s) layer occurrence ratesderived from FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC GPS radio occultation (RO) measurementsduring the Geminid meteor showers 2006–2010 are compared with meteor ratesobtained with the Collm (51.3° N, 13.0° E) VHF meteorradar. In most years, E_s rates increase after the shower, with a short delayof few days. This indicates a possible link between meteor influx and theproduction of metallic ions that may form E_s. There is an indication thatthe increase propagates downward, probably partly caused by tidal windshear. However, the correlation between E_s rates and meteor flux varies fromyear to year. A strong correlation is found especially in 2009, while in2010 E_s rates even decrease during the shower. This indicates thatadditional processes significantly influence E_s occurrence also duringmeteor showers. A possible effect of the semidiurnal tide is found. Duringyears with weaker tidal wind shear, the correlation between E_s and meteorrates is even weaker.

[学科分类] 电子、光学、磁材料