An overview of the radio observations during December 2020 is given.
The graphs show both the daily totals (Figure 1) and the hourly numbers (Figure 2) of “all” reflections counted automatically, and of manually counted “overdense” reflections, overdense reflections longer than 10 seconds and longer than 1 minute, as observed here at Kampenhout (BE) on the frequency of our VVS-beacon (49.99 MHz) during the month of December 2020.
The hourly numbers, for echoes shorter than 1 minute, are weighted averages derived from:
Local interference and unidentified noise remained low for most of the month, and no lightning activity was detected, but there was an interruption of the beacon signal for about two hours on December 28th; the missing data were taken into account as accurately as possible on the basis of the observations on 49.97 MHz (BRAMS beacon at Dourbes/BE).
The eye-catchers this month were of course the Geminids in the period December 11th-15th and the Ursids on December 20th-22nd. In both cases the intensity increased rather gradually and quickly disappeared after the maximum.
A few screenshots at the time of the Geminids’ maximum are included (Figures 3, 4 and 5).
Especially during the first days of the month, but also at other times the activity of smaller meteor showers was clearly noticeable, but reference is made to the raw counts for this.
This month, only 7 reflections of more than 1 minute were observed here. A selection of these, along with some other interesting reflections, is included (Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10).
If you are interested in the actual figures, or in plots showing the observations as related to the solar longitude (J2000) rather than to the calendar date. I can send you the underlying Excel files and/or plots, please send me an e-mail. felix.verbelen at skynet.be.
Figure 1 – The daily totals of “all” reflections counted automatically, and of manually counted “overdense” reflections, as observed here at Kampenhout (BE) on the frequency of our VVS-beacon (49.99 MHz) during December 2020.
Figure 2 – The hourly numbers of “all” reflections counted automatically, and of manually counted “overdense” reflections, overdense reflections longer than 10 seconds and longer than 1 minute, as observed here at Kampenhout (BE) on the frequency of our VVS-beacon (49.99 MHz) during December 2020.
Figure 3 – Meteor reflection 13 December 2020, 23h40m UT.
Figure 4 – Meteor reflection 13 December 2020, 23h50m UT.
Figure 5 – Meteor reflection 14 December 2020, 00h05m UT.
Figure 6 – Meteor reflection 4 December 2020, 00h45m UT.
Figure 7 – Meteor reflection 5 December 2020, 00h05m UT.
Figure 8 – Meteor reflection 13 December 2020, 09h45m UT.
Figure 9 – Meteor reflection 21 December 2020, 23h25m UT.
Figure 10 – Meteor reflection 22 December 2020, 08h50m UT.
