Direct observations of the connection between meteor activity and mid-latitude sporadic-E using the long wavelength array radio telescope

The phenomenon of mid-latitude sporadic-E (ES), transient and dense layers of ions within the ionospheric E-region, has been well established to be formed via a combination of zonal wind shears, ion/neutral coupling, and E×B forces at altitudes of ∼100 km. The time scales on which these processes work require relatively long-lived metallic ions. Thus, it has been surmised that the likely seeds for ES are meteors, which deposit significant amounts of metallic material as they ablate within the E-region. However, efforts to uncover observational evidence to support this presumption have had mixed results. Here, we report results from a recent VHF-regime observing campaign that appear to support this notion.