1, a. Effect in Space,
The effect in spaceitself is of i
to apparatus such as satellites and ballistic missiles exposed to this
effect. The high energy electrons generate X-rays when they strike any
material object; these X-rays are very penetrating and can damage
electronic equipment. Of course, they are lethal to man in such quantities.
The experiment indicated that the|
KT bursts caused about one
million electrons per second having energies greater than about 1 Mev
to strike a square centimeter target for a period of several tens of hours, —
During the first few minutes, a much higher electron flux existed in the
vicinity of the shot.
b.
Duration.
The duration of the effect is such that the electron
counting rate decays two to one in about one day.
2. Radio Noise Effect, High energy electrons in a magnetic field radiate radio noise over a band extending from a lower limit below the
broadcast band up to an upper limit typically in the region of one
hundred megacycles.
The yield and altitude of the ARGUS experimental shot were so
planned that the noise should not have been observed. The amount of
noise is reliably predictable from the number of electrons of each energy
and magnetic field orientation and therefore the experiment provides a
basis for estimating the amount of noise produced by larger explosions.
3. Jonosphere Effects. Spots of greatly increased ionization
several hundred kilometers across, at each end of the magnetic field
lines passing through the shot, are formed at the top of the earth's
atmosphere. These spots should exhibit radar reflections, intense
auroral glow, and various effects on communications equipment, The
experiment confirmed the existence of these effects and the data when
fully utilized will permit an estimate of their military consequences.
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The experiment provided a great deal of information of scientific
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-REPRODUCED AT THE QBLGHT, D. BEGENGOWSR
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KIRRMRY >
Scientific Significance