34

DISTANT EFFECTS

- Tt was expected that, following the lerge CASTIE explosions,
effects at distant locations would be found in the F region, similar

‘n nature to those attributed to a disturbance emanating from IVY

Mike, starting at a time corresponding to a velocity of about 13in/min.
The presence of such a disturbance might be manifested in the iono~
grams in various ways, principally by the appearance of som sort cf
oblique echo, that is, a signal which leaves the recorder anu returns

to it over a path oblique to the earth (instead of vertically), in-

dicating that a portion of the reflecting layer is effectively tilted
and not concentric with the earth's surface. Instead of a direct
oblique echo, however, one is more likely to find a return which has

traversed two or more hups with intermediate reflections from the

earth's surface or from sporadic-E ionization. Breaking up of the
reflecting layer into several strata might also be seen, possibly ine
dicating a horizontal movement of ions accompanying the moving dise

turbance. Since all of these irregularities occur naturally from time
to time, toe likelihood of their resulting from a shot-causéi disturbance must be judged by their magnitude, duration, and particulerly
by their temporal consistency. It is also advisable to note the free
quency of. natural irregularities for the season and the time of day
involved.
,
3 ohel

4t Guan

Careful study of the Guam lonosphere records for the period
following each shot by 2 to 10 hours reveals that, although the
possibility of a disturbance in the F region was indicated several
hours after each of the five largest shotc, mark2a and continuing |
irregularities were present only after th ‘three largest shots, and
these were fairly consistent in time of apy: ::rance relative to shot
tims.

After each of Shots

and 2, there se. “1d to bs a period of

relatively miner effects,2/starting shortly af.-r the expected tins

of arrival (ETA) based on a velocity of 13 km/m:, then an interval

when the F2 layer appeared quite normal, and finaliy a period of une
usual Cisturbance. After Shot 5 there were clearly two distinct
periods of uwmsual disturbance. Re-examination of Shot VWike ionograms

revealed that two veriods of marked effects had oce’rred then also,
Table 3.3 gives a survey of these overall results,

2/Although these effects were ratuer weak, their appearance at this
time and for several consecutive records seems to be significant when
compared with this result of examining the records for 29 normal days

din April;

f4x instances cf oblique echoes found between 0600 and 0800

hours, none of which extended into two consecutive ionograms,.

51
SECRET

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