Some results from the quantitative analysis of meteor spectra Original Research Article

Monochromatic light curves for the H and K spectral lines of the ionized calcium doublet are derived from the prism spectra of two bright meteors photographed by small cameras. Using a new method of meteor spectroscopy the column NCaII and the volume nCaII concentrations of calcium ions are determined. The results obtained confirm that there is almost full ionization of calcium atoms in the radiating meteor plasma. The volume concentration of free electrons is measured. The excitation temperature of the meteor plasma and its variation along the meteor path is calculated.