(meteorobs) IR Signature of Meteors in the near IR

[bob71741]

Ed - I posted a link for the usage of a Wratten 87 filter and CCD video camera used to record meteor impacts on the moon. I realize that this is not exactly what Thomas wants to do since he is interested in imaging the meteor trail, but if you can image the impact,in IR, on the moon, then imaging meteor trails in the atmosphere during daylight may be realizable too. 

Below is a copy of the Allan Kimble dialog. Please note that Allan is a scientist, not an amateur, so I would have to place some value to his experiences. Also note that he wants to capture spectroscopic images of the impact as well.

Thanks for the opportunity to write. I began filming meteor impacts on the moon in 1997 using CCD cameras and long-pass near-infrared filters. I was successful during the Leonids of 1997 in capturing several images of the impacts on video -- some simultaneous. For a while, I had posted them on a website, but they drew no great attention. Since then, I have developed several smaller camera systems for imaging in the NIR portion of the spectrum between 850nm and about 1100nm. What I have found is that electronic noise lasts, at most, 2 video frames. I have been able to see impact flashes lasting between 30 and 45 video frames by using the NIR portion of the spectrum. I published a couple of articles in the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society newsletter (Skywatch) regarding my findings and the methods of constructing NIR CCD systems. The advantage is that I can make observations in daylight without much interference from the sun. The original video was obtained using a 1! 50mm f/13 refractor located in Jacksonville, Florida. I have also used wide field optics, a Schmidt-Cassegrain and even a Dobsonian system for this type of imaging. I am currently trying to develop a method using an intensified CCD with an integral long-pass filter. I will be making plans with the Society here in Jacksonville for more organized observation of the lunar impacts during upcoming meteor showers. I look forward to reading more reports of this type of work.
My eventual goal is to be able to spectroscopically image the impacts to see if there is a correlation between the spectral light emissions and the compositions of the meteor and the soil where it impacts -- a kind of remote lunar geology.

Allan Kimble
Sr. Scientist
Microscopy & Spectroscopy Laboratory
Vistakon, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care
Jacksonville, FL
Tel. (904) 443-3020
Fax (904) 443-3433

Regards
Bob