Premium
Electrodynamics of meteor trail evolution in the equatorial E‐region ionosphere
Author(s) -
Oppenheim Meers M.,
vom Endt Axel F.,
Dyrud Lars P.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl000013
Subject(s) - geophysics , ionosphere , earth's magnetic field , geology , meteor (satellite) , equator , physics , electric field , radar , computational physics , magnetic field , latitude , geodesy , meteorology , telecommunications , quantum mechanics , computer science
Using analytical models and kinetic simulations, this paper shows that weakly ionized meteor trails near the geomagnetic equator evolve through three distinct stages. First, a large electric field is generated perpendicular to both the geomagnetic field and the trail. Second, plasma density waves grow asymmetrically across the trail. Third, turbulence develops in the trails. Throughout this process, the electron E×B‐drift velocity plays an essential role in controlling the motion of the trail. These plasma dynamics have important implications for the interpretation of meteor radar echoes.