Frequency shifts of head echos in meteoroid trail formation

Abstract

The approximate frequency shift of a radar echo from a meteoroid is derived. The origin of head echos observed during trail formation are discussed by considering schematic models. The echo is either a reflection of the radar signal from thermalized electrons in the meteoroid trail or from the plasma electrons co-moving with the meteoroid itself. It is shown that in these opposite models the frequency shifts of the echo relative to the radar emitter frequency must be identical, even though the underlying physics differs. Calculations were made that give the echo frequency as function of time, allowing qualitative comparison with observations. Some typical observations show a conspicuous absence of negative frequency shifts in the head echo in forward scattering. Arguments are given that this can correspond to meteoroids with the co-moving plasma in front.