Ground-based Leonid imaging in the UV

During the 1999 Leonid meteor storm, a camera with a UV sensitive image int ensifier and CCD readout (ICCD), was operated at the Wise Observatory in Mi tzpe Ramon, Israel. The photocathode spectral response, together with the t ransmittance of the atmosphere, limited the sensitivity to a narrow band ar ound 320 nm. The aim was to obtain quantitative information on emitted radi ance in this band, for comparison with recordings of the same tracks in oth er wavelengths. The field of view of 7 degrees .2 x 5 degrees .7 was pointe d to the East at about 60 degrees elevation and the video recorded from 21 until 03 UT, Nov. 18, 1999. At least five clear images of meteor tracks wer e recorded, and compared with the signals from known stars. It was conclude d that the brightest track gave an estimated monochromatic magnitude at 320 nm peaking at similar to -4. Some of the peculiarities of astronomical obs ervation with a photon-counting imager are discussed.