THE NRL SEMIAUTOMATIC ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY STATION
Abstract
The earth and its atmosphere are likened to a leaky capacitor, one electrode of which is the earth's surface and the other is the highly conductive ionosphere. Between these two electrodes is the leaky dielectric composed of tropospheric air. Although the tropospheric air is usually thought to be an excellent electrical insulator, it does have a measurable electrical conductivity caused by migration of atmospheric ions. The total potential and current have a diurnal variation very similar to that of the total worldwide thunderstorm frequency. The atmospheric electricity station, composed of an electric field meter, conductivity chamber, accompanying amplifiers and timers, and peripheral apparatus has been used successfully to produce continuous recordings of the electrical field and conductivity of the atmosphere. The installation, operation, and maintenance of this complete station is described. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 06, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0276438
Entities
People
- R.v. Anderson
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory