PROJECT STAR DUST.
Abstract
High concentrations of total beta activity and of shortlived fission products, such as Ba140, were found in the stratosphere of the Northern Hemisphere during late 1962 and early 1963, mainly as a result of the late 1962 Soviet series of nuclear weapons tests. The apparent stratospheric burden of Sr 90, as calculated from the distribution of that nuclide in the Star Dust sampling corridor, had increased to approximately 7.8 megacuries by Jan-Feb 63. The apparent burden of Mn54 in the stratosphere of the Northern Hemisphere, corrected for decay to 15 Oct 61, reached 45 megacuries by late 1962 and 75 megacuries by Jan-Feb 63. This probably indicates that large amounts of Mn54 were produced during 1962 Soviet test series as well as during the 1961 test series. It is evident that large quantities of Sb124 were produced during the 1962 Soviet test series, apparently by the late Dec 62 tests. The stratospheric distribution of the cosmic ray product, Be7 approximated the theoretical distribution during early 1960 and mid-1961, but artificial Be7 produced during the 1961 Soviet and 1962 U. S. test series distorted the distribution of this nuclide during 1962. (See also AD-432 153) (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0600602
Entities
People
- Herbert W. Feely
- James P. Friend
- Micah W. M. Leo