Observation of Ionospheric Disturbances Produced By Nuclear Explosions [Observation Des Perturbations Ionospheriques Provoquees Par Les Explosions Nucleaires]

The nuclear explosions in the atmosphere produce disturbances in the ionosphere on a world-wide scale. These may be observed at large distances (more than 1500 km) from the explosion point and from its magnetic conjugate. (a) A series of wave oscillations is observed propagating from the explosion point. The velocity is of several hundred m/s, and the period al about 40-90 mn. The maximum electron density oscillates assuming quite abnormal values in the course of the alterations. These effects max be interpreted in terms of a mechanical wave, or a series of waves, which propagate al preferred altitudes. (b) From the measurements of atmospheric noise (27 kHz) an anomaly is observed, which may be explained by the trapped particles. At the explosion point, high energy electrons produced by neutron disintegration are diffused and deposited in the low ionosphere near the explosion point's geomagnetic parallels and its magnetic conjugate. During this process the shape of the earth-ionosphere normal hemispheric wave guide is altered in a complicated manner.