1549 



IG^' programs wore selected mainly to assist in solving specific 

 planetary- problems of the Earth, with emphasis on problems requiring 

 concurrent observations at many points around the globe and coopera- 

 tive efforts by many nations. These problems fell generally into three 

 broad areas: tlie Earth as a structure, atmospheric and oceanic circula- 

 tion, and upper atmosphere physics and solar-terrestrial relationships. 

 The broad areas were divided into thirteen scientific areas — for exam- 

 ple: oceanography, ionospheric physics, nuclear radiation — in which 

 research would be concentrated. 



SCIENTIFIC RESULTS OF IGY 



The scientific results were unprecedented: 



Tremendous masses of data were obtained during the IGY. For example, 17 tons 

 of records were generated by American Antarctic stations alone. Triis dramatic out- 

 pouring of information posed more questions than were answered. Borkner likened 

 the situation to that of coming from outer space and finding a new planet. ^^ 



One commentator wrote that cosmic ray physics had emerged from 

 the IGY as "the broadest ranging of all man's intellectual endeavors," 

 encompassing not only the vast concepts of galaxies and intergalactic 

 space but also the microcosm of atomic particles and forces. ^^ IGY 

 investigations in the Antarctic showed that ice depths may extend to 

 more than 14,000 feet. Much was learned concerning the elasticity of 

 the Earth and its crust, and concerning the distribution of the Earth's 

 mass. Additional valuable information affecting radio communications 

 was acquired. Meteorological findings provided the ba.sis for better 

 weather predictions and for long-range efforts to exercise some degree 

 of control over weather. 



Experiments involving the explosion of small nuclear devices be- 

 tween the Van Allen radiation belts represented the first time in history 

 that worldwide measurements of a completely controlled geophysical 

 phenomenon had been made simultaneously. Studies of ocean currents 

 showed that ocean depths are very much in motion, and not stagnant; 

 one related finding was that deep ocean trenches are unsuitable for the 

 dumping of radioactive wastes, another that life — including fish and 

 crustaceans — exists even in the ocean trenches of the Pacific at depths 

 of almost 40,000 feet. Studies of solar activity raised the possibility 

 that much thermal energy might be transferred to the Earth's atmos- 

 phere through direct contact with the hot gases of the Sun's corona. 

 Further, IGY research established that there is no definite end to the 

 Earth's atmosphere — 



As far distant as 10 Earth diameters a substantial hydrogen atmosphere was 

 found to exist, fading into the atmosphere of outer space itself, dominated by the 

 effects of untold meteors, X-rays, ultraviolet light, protons, electrons, cosmic rays, 

 and electric and magnetic fields. Thus, the upper atmosphere was found to be a 

 place of considerable activity, affecting many phenomena on the Earth itself. Of 

 tremendous interest was the discovery of the two Van Allen radiation belts, exist- 

 ing as annular shrouds about the Earth, shaped by terrestrial magnetic fields. 

 These belts of intense radiation were seen as important factors in determining and 

 perhaps limiting man's future exploration of space.*" 



i> Ibid, p. 324. 

 33 Ibid, p. 324. 

 <o Ibid, p. 327. 



