Automated meteor detection and the Leonid shower

A computer-automated radio system for monitoring meteor activity is described. The receiver is tuned to the frequency of a television video carrier whose transmitter is located beyond the horizon. The system registers only a weak signal except when the ion trail from a meteor reflects additional power to the receiver. A sudden power increase alerts the computer to a possible meteor. Our system employs a unique method for distinguishing between meteors and false alerts due to lightning and other noise. Using the receiver's audio output, a meteor echo is identified by increased audio signal autocorrelation, whereas electrical noise is recognized by a decreased correlation. The system has now accumulated more than a year of observations. The data show clearly the expected diurnal variation in meteor count rate, as well as most of the stronger meteor showers. We have also obtained evidence of some new showers. Analysis of the data from 1997 November 15-20 reveals Leonid meteor shower activity with a peak at November 17.5 (+/- 0.2) UT or solar longitude 235.degrees 3 (+/- 0.2). Leonid meteors are of current interest because the shower may be building toward a supermaximum or "meteor storm" in 1998 or 1999.