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Meteor observations in the northern polar MLT region: A comprehensive long-term analysis.

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Title: Meteor observations in the northern polar MLT region: A comprehensive long-term analysis.
Authors: Portel, Vaishali1 (AUTHOR), Kishore Kumar, G.1 (AUTHOR) kishoreg@uohyd.ac.in, Nozawa, Satonori2 (AUTHOR), Tsutsumi, M.3 (AUTHOR), Johnsen, M.G.4 (AUTHOR), Gulbrandsen, Njål4 (AUTHOR)
Source: Advances in Space Research. Jun2026, Vol. 77 Issue 12, p12364-12377. 14p.
Subjects: Meteors, Geomagnetic variations, Statistical measurement, Arctic climate, Diurnal variations in meteorology
Geographic Terms: Svalbard (Norway)
Abstract: The diurnal, seasonal, and interannual variability of the meteor flux, meteor peak height (MPH) and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the meteor height distribution were investigated using meteor radar observations spanning 2001–2022 at three northern polar sites: Svalbard (NSMR- 78.17⁰N, 15.99⁰E), Tromsø (NTMR- 69.59⁰N, 19.22⁰E), and Alta (NAMR- 69.97⁰N, 23.29⁰E). All three parameters (meteor flux, MPH and FWHM) exhibit clear diurnal and seasonal variations. The observed diurnal variability in all three parameters is strongly modulated by both background atmospheric conditions and geomagnetic activity, exhibiting clear latitudinal differences. On seasonal scales, meteor flux peaks during summer, particularly in July. MPH shows both annual modulation, most evident over NSMR, and a significant semiannual component with maxima during spring and autumn. FWHM shows lower values in summer and higher values in winter, consistent with mesospheric temperature variations. Comparisons with Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) and COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere-1986 (CIRA86) temperature data demonstrate good agreement, supporting the use of FWHM as a temperature proxy on seasonal scales. Interannual analysis reveals a clear inverse relationship between meteor flux and solar activity at NSMR, whereas the correlation is weaker at NTMR, likely reflecting enhanced geomagnetic influence in the auroral zone. MPH remains relatively stable over the solar cycle, while FWHM exhibits a weak positive solar cycle dependence at NTMR. The meteor flux exhibits a positive long-term trend at NSMR, but a decreasing trend at NTMR, whereas long-term trends in both MPH and FWHM are negligible at both stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:The diurnal, seasonal, and interannual variability of the meteor flux, meteor peak height (MPH) and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the meteor height distribution were investigated using meteor radar observations spanning 2001–2022 at three northern polar sites: Svalbard (NSMR- 78.17⁰N, 15.99⁰E), Tromsø (NTMR- 69.59⁰N, 19.22⁰E), and Alta (NAMR- 69.97⁰N, 23.29⁰E). All three parameters (meteor flux, MPH and FWHM) exhibit clear diurnal and seasonal variations. The observed diurnal variability in all three parameters is strongly modulated by both background atmospheric conditions and geomagnetic activity, exhibiting clear latitudinal differences. On seasonal scales, meteor flux peaks during summer, particularly in July. MPH shows both annual modulation, most evident over NSMR, and a significant semiannual component with maxima during spring and autumn. FWHM shows lower values in summer and higher values in winter, consistent with mesospheric temperature variations. Comparisons with Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) and COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere-1986 (CIRA86) temperature data demonstrate good agreement, supporting the use of FWHM as a temperature proxy on seasonal scales. Interannual analysis reveals a clear inverse relationship between meteor flux and solar activity at NSMR, whereas the correlation is weaker at NTMR, likely reflecting enhanced geomagnetic influence in the auroral zone. MPH remains relatively stable over the solar cycle, while FWHM exhibits a weak positive solar cycle dependence at NTMR. The meteor flux exhibits a positive long-term trend at NSMR, but a decreasing trend at NTMR, whereas long-term trends in both MPH and FWHM are negligible at both stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:02731177
DOI:10.1016/j.asr.2026.03.092