In October 2000 a SKiYMET All-Sky Imager VHF Meteor Wind Radar (MWR) was deployed at BLO for comparative measurements of MLT winds and temperature in collaboration with Prof. Wayne Hocking, University of Western Ontario (UWO), Canada. The radar system is autonomous and operates continuously. Collaborative measurements were completed in April, 2001.

The MWR used pulsed radio waves transmitted from a broad-beamed antenna to detect meteor trails in the MLT region (~80-100 km). By comparing the reflected signals, the position of each meteor trail can be computed to determine wind speeds as a function of height (e.g. Hocking, 1997). The flux of meteor echoes peaks during the night and is generally in excess of 300/hr decreasing near 07 LT.

As discussed by Hocking (2000), the SKiYMET system is unique in that it utilizes interferometry and a high pulse repetition frequency for these measurements. The MWR was configured for operation at 35.65 MHz (a Yellowknife operational requirement) and sometimes suffers from co-channel interference during the day (07-17 LT), thereby reducing the expected meteor detection rate. The MWR winds are derived at 1-hour intervals at heights centered on 85, 88, 91 and 94 km. This data was utilized, among other science objectives, to validate the winds derived with the BLO dynasonde (operating in IDI mode). In addition to wind measurements between 85-95 km, the MWR data on the meteor decay times can be used to estimate mesospheric temperatures (Hocking, et al., 1997; Hocking, 1999). Work is currently in progress to compare the temperatures derived from the MWR data with those determined by the Mesospheric Temperature Mapper.

Related Information

Meteor Wind Radar