IV. The Scientific Results 



Tremendous masses of data were obtained during the IGY. For 

 example, approximately 17 tons of records were generated by Ameri- 

 can Antarctic stations alone. This dramatic outpouring of information 

 posed more questions than were answered. Berkner likened the situa- 

 tion to that of coming from outer space and finding a new planet. 77 



Summary of Scientific Findings of the IGY 



The assimilation of this wealth of new information required con- 

 siderable time, and the process is still continuing. However, com- 

 prehensive summaries of the major scientific results of the IGY are 

 available, 78 as well as numerous more popularized summaries. 79 Hence, 

 only a brief synopsis of the major findings will be given here. 80 



AURORA AND AIRGLOW 



It was found that the aurorae are continuous along a "magnetic 

 dip line" on the dark side of the earth, and that movements within 

 them pass from west to east. Also discovered was the fact that airglow 

 results from light emitted upon the decay of chemical compounds 

 formed in the outer fringes of the atmosphere by incident solar energy, 

 and that auroral displays typically result from solar activity. Follow- 

 ing a particularly outstanding solar flare during the IGY, activity 

 was observed at altitudes as high as 800 kilometers, and the effects 

 were visible as far south as Cuba. Worldwide disruptions in communi- 

 cations by radio, land telegraph lines, and ocean cables were observed. 

 For example, magnetic activity in the upper atmosphere induced 

 potentials m transatlantic cables of up to 2,650 volts. 



COSMIC RAYS 



Cosmic rays, believed to represent possibly half of all the energy 

 in the universe, were found to be influenced by solar activity, with 

 diminished cosmic ray intensity being noted during periods of high 

 sunspot activity. However, fundamental questions concerning the 

 origin and nature of cosmic rays remained unanswered. Sullivan com- 

 mented that cosmic ray physics ". . . emerged from the IGY 

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

 dealing not only with the immense concepts of galaxies and inter- 

 galactic space, but with the opposite spectrum of atomic and nuclear 

 particles and forces as well. 81 



" Roberts, "The IQY In Retrospect," p. 269. 



'• See. (or eiample, the NAS IQY Program Report. 



'• Included are: Chapman, Year of Ditcocery; Sullivan, Assault; and Wilson, Nm Moon*. 



••Summarized primarily, but not exclusively, from: Roberts, "The IQY In Retrospect," pp. 269-284; 

 Atwood. "The IQY In Retrospect," pp. 686-688; and Odlshaw In NSF-NAS Hearings; JOY Report, pp. 23- 

 48. 



•> Sullivan, Assault, p. 211. 



(324) 



