EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR DETONATIONS ON THE IONOSPHERE
Abstract
During Operation CASTLE, two ionosphere recorders were operated in the Marshall Islands -at Site Elmer, about 200 miles west of Bikini Atoll, and at Rongerik Atoll, about 150 miles east of Bikini -- in order to study the effects of the detonations on the ionosphere. Severe absorption was observed 200 miles west of all multimegaton shots, lasting several hours, presumably due to ionization caused by radioactive material carried by high-level winds. Turbulence in the E region after each major shot was indicated by the diffuse sporadic-E returns at Rongerik. Ionospheric disturbances were found up to 2,600 miles away, with indicated velocities of about 8 to 16 km/min. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 22, 1957
- Accession Number
- AD0361772
Entities
People
- Arthur K. Harris
- Fred B. Daniels