Radio-Echo Observations of Southern Hemisphere Meteor Shower Activity from 1956 December to 1958 August

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Abstract
A further survey of southern hemisphere meteor activity, extending from 1956 December to 1958 August, has been made with the 67 Mc/s narrow-beam equipment. The faintest detectable meteor trail has an electron line density of 1.3 × 10 11 electrons/cm. The potentialities of radio equipments for the detection of weak meteor showers are demonstrated by an objective statistical analysis of echo counts. Weaker showers can be detected by the present equipment only if they transit within 30° of the zenith. The statistical analysis reveals an inherent clustering in the ecliptical component of sporadic meteors, and there is some evidence for very weak or short-lived showers which do not satisfy all the criteria laid down for an accepted shower. Radiants and echo rates for fifteen accepted and seven possible showers are tabulated and discussed. Echo rates measured at different equipment sensitivities for four showers indicate in all cases a deficiency, relative to sporadic meteors, in the numbers of fainter meteors in these streams.

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