Radar observations of Draconid outbursts]{Radar observations of Draconid outbursts}

TL;DR

This study analyzes five Draconid meteor shower outbursts observed via radar across Canada and Europe from 1999 to 2018, highlighting their irregular timing, duration, and measurement discrepancies, and emphasizing the importance of multi-longitude observations.

Contribution

It provides detailed radar observations of Draconid outbursts over two decades, revealing variability in activity and measurement challenges specific to fragile meteors.

Findings

Outbursts lasted 6-8 hours each.

Peak flux varied by at least a factor of two between radars.

Multiple longitudes are essential for complete observation.

Abstract

The Draconid meteor shower shows strong bursts of activity at irregular intervals, with nearly no activity in intervening years. Five outbursts of the Draconid meteor shower were observed with specular meteor radars in Canada and Europe between 1999 and 2018. The outbursts generally lasted between 6 and 8 hours, and most were not fully visible at a single geographical site, emphasizing the need for observations at multiple longitudes for short-duration shower outbursts. There is at least a factor of two difference in the peak flux as measured on different radars; the initial trail radius effect is undercorrected for Draconid meteors, which are known to be fragile.