468 .
MAHLMAN
the theoretical values is then statistically analyzed by employing a
Student’s “t” test. This analysis reveals that the value of |a| measured
from the given sinusoidal current is significantly lower (at the 95%
probability level) than its comparable theoretical value, This results
from the bias introduced by measuring the slope of the current along
the latitude circle rather than along the wave itself. This difficulty may
be readily circumvented, however, because the statistical analysis also
showed that the measured root-mean-square value of [a], (a?)* is an
excellent approximationto the theoretical value of la|. One thus may
replace |@| in Eq. 8 by (a”)” to obtain
(a?)
C= 1 > 50
(9)
Recalling that a = 9@-—270°, Eq. 9 may be defined in terms directly
applicable to atmospheric measurement so that
1 [26 =a
cna gh |FO
n
(10)
where n is the number of measurements along the chosenlatitude
circle. The index C is now in a form so that its measured value
(computed by measuring a along a discrete grid interval) compares
favorably with the theoretical value of the given ideal current. This is
advantageous because a value of C can now be calculated from the data
for any current, regardless of its complexity.
APPLICATION OF THE DERIVED CYCLONE INDEX
TO THE ATMOSPHERE
In this research the possible correlations between the derived
cyclone index C as applied to the atmosphere and fluctuations of
radioactive fallout at the surface were examined. Because the radioactive debris that results from a recent atmospheric test tends to
mask older stratospheric debris, it is imperative that such correlations be tested over a period in which no nuclear testing has taken
place. Also, this chosen period must be long enough after the cessation
of nuclear testing so that the influence due to tropospheric debris is
minimized,
To satisfy these specified restrictions, the period following the
last atmospheric test in December 1962 was chosen for the analysis.
This was an especially suitable period because the stratospheric-