Possible detection of GEMINID 2007 meteor shower during day-time from VLF radiation spectra

Abstract

The results of day-time detection of GEMINID 2007 meteor shower from dynamic VLF radiation spectra in Tripura (23.50° N, 91.25° E), India, is presented here. The field experiments were performed during 12-17th December, 2007 inside Tripura University campus located at a hilly place in the North-Eastern part of India. A well calibrated software VLF receiver was used to perform the field experiments. Analyses of data reveal an hourly average rate of the shower around 50. The VLF emissions lie in the range from 8 kHz to 13 kHz which is 10 to 15 times higher than previous reports. The mean duration of each VLF emission calculated from dynamic spectra is found to be 6 s and the mean bandwidth is 3.6 kHz. The temporal variation of VLF emission duration and bandwidth of VLF radiation is also studied. The results strongly support the fact that VLF electromagnetic waves are produced during the passage of meteors in the atmosphere. The experiment also makes the study of dynamic VLF spectra as a strong tool to detect low intensity meteor shower during daytime. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009.