RADIATION MEASUREMENTS WITH HIGH-ALTITUDE BALLOON FLIGHTS

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Aerospace Med.

OSTI ID:4132470

Hoffman, R A

Measurements are reported from a series of highaltitude balloon flights made to obtain additional information about the ionizing space radiations resulting from solar flares. The detection system consisted of a particle telescope for proton and alpha detection and 2 neutron detectors. Exposure to balloon altitudes was made in Northern Minnesota on 18, 20, and 28 July 1961. A summary of solar flare activity during this period of time is tabulated. A gain shift in the counters occurred that seriously affected the time for which reliable data could be obtained, and made the proton data almost completely unreliable. The count rates for flights 1 and 2 were similar (both flights were made when radiation levels at the altitudes attained were near normal). The count rates for flight 1, made during increased radiation levels resulting from the flare of 15 July 1961, are considerable higher than those obtained during the other flights. The intensity of neutrons reached its highest point at approximates 60,000 ft on all three flights, although the count rate was highest on the flight made during the period of increased solar activity. Most significant was the difference observed between the neutron spectrum during increased solar activity andd the spectrum obtained during quiet conditions. This difference was shown by the ratio of the counting rates in two neutron counters. The ratios observed for flights 2 and 3 were very similar, while the ratio obtained from flight 1 under increased radiation levels was significantly higher. This increased ratio for flight 1 indicates that during solar activity the neutron energy spectrum in the atmosphere hardens; i.e., the spectrum contains relatively more high-energy thand low-energy neutrons as compared with the spectrum on a normal day. It is concluded that the neutron measurements give indirect evidence of the intensity of solar flare protons present. (BBB)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-18-004415
• OSTI ID: 4132470
• Journal Information: Aerospace Med., Journal Name: Aerospace Med. Vol. Vol: 34
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALPHA PARTICLES
ATMOSPHERE
BALLOONS
COINCIDENCE METHODS
COSMIC RADIATION
COUNTERS
DETECTION
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY
LEVELS
MEASURED VALUES
NEUTRON DETECTION
NEUTRONS
PHYSICS
PRODUCTION
PROTONS
SOLAR FLARES
STRATOSPHERE
SUN
TABLES
VARIATIONS