Decametric Wave-length Absorption resulting from the Nuclear Detonation of July 9, 1962

Journal Article · Sat Oct 13 04:00:00 EDT 1962 · Nature (London)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/196156a0· OSTI ID:4769424

STRAKA, R. M.; ELKINS, P. G.; STRICK, H. A.

Riometer data taken at the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Sagamore Hill Radio Observatory, in Hamilton, Massachusetts, showed a pronounced effect following the high-altitude nuclear detonation on July 9, 1962, at Johnston Island. Onset of the absorption occurred between H + 3 to H + 8 min., reached a maximum drop in signal-level at H + 21 min., and was essentially back to normal slightly less than an hour after the onset. No unusual solar activity was reported by other observatories on this date. Sagamore Hill is situated almost 39 deg geomagnetically north of Johnston Island, thus any trapped particles must have passed well to the south of this station as the sheath encircled the globe. This sheath appears to have been mainly responsible for the drop out of the propagated signals. Riometer data show that a true D-layer absorption occurred at this latitude. Finally, it is suggested that the D-layer absorption occurring at this high a latitude may be the result of prompt neutrons from the burst decaying into BETA particles, which were then guided into the D- layer via magnetic field lines.

• Research Organization: Air Force Cambridge Research Lab., South Hamilton, Mass.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-005116
• OSTI ID: 4769424
• Journal Information: Nature (London), Journal Name: Nature (London) Journal Issue: 4850 Vol. 196; ISSN 0028-0836
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
COSMIC RADIATION
D-LAYER
DECAY
EARTH
ELECTRONS
FREQUENCY
INSTRUMENTS
IONOSPHERE
LAYERS
LEVELS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MOTION
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PHYSICS
PULSES
RIOMETERS
SIGNALS
SUN
TRAPS