318 



assured their safekeeping from loss by fire or other catastrophe, and 

 each center provided copies of data, in whole or in part, to any 

 qualified applicant at cost. 62 



WORLD DAYS AND ALERTS 



A major objective of the IGY was to obtain simultaneous observa- 

 tions of phenomena by observers distributed throughout the world. 

 To achieve this capability, a communications headquarters was 

 established at Ft. Belvoir, Va., to notify participants when interesting 

 phenomena developed, like sudden flareups on the surface of the sun 

 or a fast-developing solar storm. At such times an alert would be 

 called which might be followed by a special world interval during 

 which more intensive observations of phenomena would be under- 

 taken. In addition, certain world days were selected in advance for 

 intensive worldwide observation of particular phenomena, as well 

 as world meteorological intervals for the making of special weather 

 observations. These events are indicated in figure 6. 



PUBLICATION OF RESULTS 



Essential to most scientific undertakings is the publication of 

 results. Because the results of the 2 polar years had .been published 

 primarily by the participating countries as they saw fit, few copies 

 were printed; many important scientific libraries still lack copies. 

 To avoid such a gap in programing, arrangements were made to 

 publish IGY results in an international journal created for that 

 purpose: the Annals of the IGY. In this journal were published not 

 only the results of IGY observations, but a history of the IGY, and 

 a brief account of the 2 polar years. 83 



« For additional information on the World Data Centers, see: Chapman, Year of Discovery, p. 107; and 

 Chapman, "International Cooperation," p. 176. 

 •* Chapman, Year of Discovery, p. 107. 



