HIGH ALTITUDE RESEARCH AT THE APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY.

Abstract

This report summarizes five years of work in which scientific experiments were performed principally through the use of V-2 and Aerobee rockets. A series of direct measurements was made of the total intensity of the cosmic radiation above the appreciable atmosphere over a wide range of geomagnetic latitudes. The primary cosmic-ray energy spectrum was determined, as well as the magnitude and sign of the charge; and a number of experiments in the reactions of the primaries in matter were performed. Solar spectra to wavelengths shorter than 2900 Angstrom units were obtained by means of rocket-borne spectrographs. The distribution of ozone with altitude in the earth's atmosphere was measured. Exploration of the earth's magnetic field at high altitude and at two geomagnetic latitudes disclosed evidence of a current layer in the E region of the ionosphere. High-altitude photographic techniques were developed through the use of rocket-borne cameras. By the use of the Aerobee rocket as a vehicle, aerodynamic research on a ramjet diffuser was carried out. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1951
Accession Number
AD0634976

Entities

People

  • L. W. Fraser

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Atmospheres
  • Cosmic Rays
  • High Altitude
  • Latitude
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Measurement
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Radiation
  • Solar Spectrum
  • Spectra

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Spectroscopy.
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.