A comparison of high-altitude nuclear explosion effects in the E layer with variations in geomagnetic field strength

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1964 · Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JZ069i005p00911· OSTI ID:4079670

Davis, J. R.; Headrick, J. M.

A high-frequency ground-backscatter study conducted during the period of the July 9, 1962, high-altitude nuclear explosion over Johnston Island yielded information that indicates that short-period fluctuations in E-layer ionization occurred over the eastern United States within the first few seconds after the detonation. The onset time, periodic structure, and duration of the E-layer ionization disturbance were found to bear a striking similarity to variations in the geomagnetic field measured by observers throughout the western hemisphere. The coincidence of geomagnetic field fluctuations and variations in E-layer ionization density is advanced as evidence that the penturbations were caused by neutron-decay β particles interacting with the magnetic field and the ionosphere.

• Research Organization: Naval Research Lab., Washington, D.C.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-015021
• OSTI ID: 4079670
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 69; ISSN 0148-0227
• Publisher: American Geophysical Union
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BETA PARTICLES
DECAY
DENSITY
EARTH
FREQUENCY
INTERACTIONS
IONIZATION
IONOSPHERE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MEASURED VALUES
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PHYSICS
RADIO WAVES
SCATTERING
TURBULENCE
VARIATIONS