In 1997, experiments were conducted using inexpensive thin film type holographic interference gratings. On the first try a bright fireball spectrum was secured proving that such gratings could be used for meteor spectroscopy. They were not as efficient as a precision replica grating but with the cost being very low amateurs with limited budgets could now participate in this very interesting research field. The intensifier screen was imaged by a Hi8 camcorder and recorded on a standard VHS recorder. The field of view is around 25 degrees.
Sensitivity is lower than a new device but it still can produce reasonable results at low cost.
Resolution is not as good as a photographic system but an intensifier is the only method that can be used to reach faint magnitudes. A grating equipped conventional camera is sensitive to meteors of around -2.0 magnitude and brighter. This line is the one detached from the main spectrum. It was first identified by Canadian meteor astronomer, Dr. Ian Halliday in 1958. It also appears at a greater height, approximately 10 kms higher than the main spectrum and the radiation is persistent, lasting about one second.