OBSERVATIONS OF THE LITHIUM LINES IN THE TWILIGHT AIRGLOW IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1959 · Nature

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/1831315b0· OSTI ID:4256748

Jones, A V

The possibility of marine and meteoric origins for the lithium lines in the twilight airglow in the northern hemisphere is considered. Meteoric origin is favored because the derived abundance ratio lithium/sodium agreed better with the ratio for the meteoric material. A third possibility suggested is that the lithium originates from hydrogen bomb tests at high altitude. Spectra covering the region 6000 to 7000 A show the lithium abundance to be between the values for sea water and meteors, and can not be considered as decisive evidence against either hypothesis. As to the possibility of lithium arising from bomb tests, it is possible that the lithium detected above Saskatoon is a remnant of that introduced into the air by the Johnston Island test. (A.C.)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Can.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-13-012824
• OSTI ID: 4256748
• Journal Information: Nature, Journal Name: Nature Vol. Vol: 183
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AIR
AIRGLOW
AURORAE
GLOW DISCHARGES
LIGHT
LITHIUM
METEORITES
METEOROLOGY
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS
QUANTITY RATIO
SEA
SODIUM
SPECTRA
WATER