RHODIUM-102 HIGH ALTITUDE TRACER EXPERIMENT. I. STRATOSPHERIC RESULTS
Abstract
To have a unique tracer for studying atmospheric circulation, a large amount of the rhodium-102 isotope was produced in a high altitude nuclear explosion at about 16 deg north latitude and 170 deg west longitude on 11 Aug 58 at 2330 hr. Detonation occurred at about 43 km and it is estimated that the bulk of the debris rose to above 100 km and probably went as high as 150 km. Most results discussed are for air filter samples collected by aircraft at about 20 km in the stratosphere and about 5.5 km in the troposphere. For about a year after this production a few percent of the Rh(102) expected for a well mixed stratosphere was observed in a uniform distribution at about 20 km altitude in the Northern Hemisphere. At this time, concentrations about 1/10 as much were observed at this altitude at 35 deg south latitude. Mixing between hemispheres at this altitude is slow. Beginning in the fall, 1959 and continuing through early winter, concentrations at 20 km increased rapidly in the Northern Hemisphere. It appears that the bulk of the material went to fairly high altitude and was distributed evenly between the two hemispheres in the high stratosphere. Subsequent appearance in the low stratosphere seems to be caused by downward movement selectively in the winter pole region followed by circulation toward lower latitudes at lower altitudes. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0291927
Entities
People
- Marvin I. Kalkstein
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories