Satellite Observations of the Energetic Particle Flux Produced by the High-Altitude Nuclear Explosion of July 9, 1962

Journal Article · Sat Sep 29 04:00:00 EDT 1962 · Nature (London)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/1951245a0· OSTI ID:4752098

DURNEY, A. C.; ELLIOT, H.; HYNDS, R. J.; QUENBY, J. J.

A megaton nuclear explosion occurred at 0900h 15s u.t. on July 9, 1962, at an altitude of about 320 km in the vicinity of Johnston Island. A preliminary analysis is presented of data on the energetic particle flux produced above the atmosphere. The data were obtained by means of a Geiger counter equipped with special circuits carried in the satellite Ariel. A chronological plot is presented of the irtensity recorded by the Geiger courter for the period 0800 u.t. to 2200 u.t. on July 9. The data present evidence of the redistribution of the mirror points of the naturally occurring electrons in the outer radiation belt, an additional population of electrons that remained trapped in the geomagnetic field, and a low-altitude shell of fission product decay electrons iormed over the pacific Ocean, stretching westward irom Johnston Island to the neighborhood of the Atlantic coast of the American continent. This shell lasted for more than a day and was continually supplied with electrons by the decay of charged fission fragments supported in the Earth's magnetic field in the neighborhood of Johnston Island. A considerable part of the additional radiation had disappeared by July 12 but the life-time of the trapped radiation cannot be prechcted until the decay law is established. (C.H.)

• Research Organization: Imperial Coll. of Science and Tech., London
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-005115
• OSTI ID: 4752098
• Journal Information: Nature (London), Journal Name: Nature (London) Journal Issue: 4848 Vol. 195; ISSN 0028-0836
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ATMOSPHERE
CIRCUITS
COSMIC RADIATION
DECAY
EARTH
ELECTRONS
ENERGY
FISSION PRODUCTS
GEIGER-MUELLER COUNTERS
LEVELS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PHYSICS
PRODUCTION
RADIATION BELTS
REFLECTION
SATELLITES
SEA
SHELLS
TRAPS