On the meteor height from forward scatter radio observations

It is known from theory that, by means of a plasma physics approach, it is possible to obtain a simple formula to calculate the approximate height of a meteor (Foschini 1999). This formula can be used in case of forward scatt er of radio waves and has the advantage that it does not depend on the diff usion coefficient. On the other hand, it is possible to apply the formula t o a particular type of meteor only (overdense meteor type I), which is a sm all fraction of the total number observed. We have carried out a statistica l analysis of several radio echoes from meteor showers recorded during last years by a radio observer located in Belgium. The results are compared and discussed with those obtained with other methods and available in literatu re.