Diurnal and annual variations of meteor rates at the Arctic
circle 1Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics, 18225
Kühlungsborn, Germany Abstract. Meteors are an important source
for (a) the metal atoms of the upper atmosphere metal layers and
(b) for condensation nuclei, the existence of which are a
prerequisite for the formation of noctilucent cloud particles in
the polar mesopause region. For a better understanding of these
phenomena, it would be helpful to know accurately the annual and
diurnal variations of meteor rates. So far, these rates have
been little studied at polar latitudes. Therefore we have used
the 33 MHz meteor radar of the ALOMAR observatory at 69° N to
measure the meteor rates at this location for two full annual
cycles. This site, being within 3° of the Arctic circle, offers
in addition an interesting capability: The axis of its antenna
field points (almost) towards the North ecliptic pole once each
day of the year. In this particular viewing direction, the radar
monitors the meteoroid