Could you explain a little more about your tried and
true car radio signal technique?
Sure, it's dead easy. Meteor observers here in Edmonton have done this
on and off for a few years, and consistently since the 2001 Leonids.
It's a natural complement to our Sky Scan Science Awareness Project (a
not-for-profit initiative designed to bring radio meteor astronomy to the
Grade 9 classroom). The idea is to tune the car's digital tuner to an
over-the-horizon FM transmitter, turn up the volume sufficiently and leave
windows/hatches open so that observers can hear the static from their observing
stations. Occasionally there will be a burst of signal corresponding to a
meteor.
Omnidirectional car antennae are
sufficient for this purpose, and surprisingly sensitive. For more on my personal
experiences using this "live monitoring" technique during the 2002 Perseids
and Leonids, please visit the following pages on our website.
Much more on the basic technique of
radio detection of meteors can be found elsewhere on the Sky Scan website.
Anybody who cares to visit, feedback (preferably by private e-mail) is always
welcome as we attempt to make our information as complete and accurate as
possible.
regards,
Bruce McCurdy
Sky Scan Science Awareness
Project
Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada