Observed magnetic effects from meteors

Abstract

A correlation between geomagnetic fluctuations and meteoric activity was reported by Kalashnikov [1949], who used sensitive fluxmeters and a photographic recording technique. In his work, he noted an increase in the number of pulses in the vertical component over the dates of meteor showers. Hawkins [1958], using more sensitive equipment also sensitive to the vertical component, attempted to correlate pulses with visual meteors. His results were negative, indicating only such correlation as might be expected statistically.

Geomagnetic pulsations

“…The more the observing station deviates from the geomagnetic meridian through the detonation point, the more the wave amplitudes showed a rapid decrease. Geomagnetic pulsations have been reported to be associated with meteor showers (Jenkins, Phillips et al, 1960;Campbell, 1960c), ionospheric pressure waves (Saito, 1961;Campbell and Young, 1963), ocean waves (Weaver, 1965), and earthquakes (Eleman, 1965). The observed waves with the above-mentioned two kinds of the apparent speeds were attributed to the longitudinal and transverse HM waves (Bomke, Ramm et al, 1960).…”

Study of Geomagnetic Fluctuations

“…5 cps magnetic data for October, November, and December 1959 with statistical results of published meteor counts for previous years was then made and yielded further support for the correlation. 17 Comparison of the Denver magnetic data for December 1959 with meteor count data obtained from the National Bureau of Standards for the same time interval also offered support for the hypothesis of correlation with meteor activity, is and observations of the waveforms on the tape recordings showed that the increased magnetic fluctuation levels attributed to this source consisted of quasi-sinusoidal wavetrains at frequencies of about 1.5 cps. 19 These results do not actually conflict with the results of Hawkins 16 who made wide-band observations in New Mexico during the summer months.…”

On the correlation of meteors with micropulsations

“…Correlation with meteor showers was not examined. Jenkins et al [1960], with a somewhat in creased maximum sensitivity of 0.3 my, claimed an enhancement of nighttime micropulsation activity in the 1.5-cps band on several nights of meteor shower activity. More recently, Camp bell reported increased micropulsation activity in the 0.03-to 0.2-cps range, with flux density increases lying between 20 and 320 my during the 'r) Aquarid, 3 Aquarid, and Perseid meteor showers of 1958.…”