314 



fluctuations during the IGY reached the greatest intensity ever 

 recorded since scientists first began to observe such phenomena in the 

 18th century. 62 



Organization oj the Program 



Programs of the IGY were selected primarily to assist in solving 

 specific planetary problems of the earth, criteria for selection having 

 been specified by the CSAGI as follows: 



(i) Problems requiring concurrent synoptic observations at many points involv- 

 ing cooperative observations by many nations. 



(ii) Problems of branches of geophysical sciences whose solutions will be aided 

 by the availability of synoptic or other concentrated work during the IGY in 

 other geophysical sciences. 



(iii) Observations of all major geophysical phenomena in relatively inacces- 

 sible regions of the earth that can be occupied during the IGY because of the 

 extraordinary effort during that interval, in order to augment our basic knowledge 

 of the earth and of the solar and other influences acting upon it. 



(iv) Epochal observations of slowly varying terrestrial phenomena, to establish 

 basic information for subsequent comparison at later epochs. 63 



Where questions of priority arose, the first requirement (i) was 

 recognized as controlling. This emphasis upon synoptic observations, 

 the need for carrying out measurements throughout the entire globe, 

 and the great expense necessitated in so doing, were all major elements 

 in the readiness of the Congress to provide the needed funds, as 

 discussed earlier. 



Primary emphasis of the IGY, as summarized by the National 

 Academy of Sciences, was 



... to observe geophysical phenomena and to secure data from all parts 

 of the world; to conduct this effort on a coordinated basis by fields, and in space 

 and time, so that results could be collated in a meaningful manner." 



Within this context, problems generally fell within these three 

 broad areas: 



(a) The earth itself as a structure; 



(b) Atmospheric and oceanic circulation and heat and water budget of the 

 earth; and 



(c) Upper atmospheric physics and solar-terrestrial relationships." 



TABLE 4. SCIENTIFIC AREAS REPRESENTED DURING THE IGY 



Aurora and airglow • Meteorology ' 



Cosmic rays > Nuclear radiation > 



Geomagnetism » Ocebnogriphy ' 



Glaciology Seismology 



Gravity Solar activity 



Ionospheric physics) Upper atmospheric studies utilizing rockets and satellite 



Longitudes and latitudes' vehicles 



> Disciplines of major interest. 



Reference: Report on the U.S. Program for the International Geophysical Year (Washington: National Academy of 

 Sciences-National Research Council. November 1966), p. vii. 



» NAS JOY Program Report, p. vii. 



« CSAOI, HulUlin a" Information, No. 4 (London: IUOQ Newsletter No. 9, 1955), pp. 54-65. 



m NAS JOY Program Report, p. vii. 



m NAS IOY Program Report, p. vii. 



