Solar Eclipse (1979) Part I. Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory Field Program Summary
Abstract
The 26 February 1979 solar eclipse provided a unique opportunity to investigate the properties of the middle atmosphere, including the lower ionospheric D region, during a succinct day-'night'-day transition. The Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory (ASL) assisted in coordinating a multiagency field experiment program which encompassed a wide range of effort. Experiments carried out during the several-day period centering on the eclipse were characterized by an unusually high degree of success. Nineteen small sounding rockets and 14 large rockets were launched without a major experimental failure. Ground-based measurements provided additional information. Of particular interest to the Army is the investigation of electron attachment/detachment processes in the D region which in turn have a bearing on ELF, VLF, and HF communications, BMD radar systems, and atmospheric deionization in the post- nuclear-burst atmosphere. This report is Part I of a series and is primarily concerned with providing a summary of the 1979 Solar Eclipse Field Program and sponsored experiments. Part II will provide an account of the experimental data acquired by the ASL experiments, and a subsequent Part III will detail the atmospheric modeling efforts using the data from the 1979 solar eclipse.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA087318
Entities
People
- Arthur Gilcrease
- John Cross
- Melvin G. Heaps
- Robert O. Olsen
- Warren Berning
Organizations
- Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory