INFORMATION ON SOVIET BLOC INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL COOPERATION - 1959

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00141R000200770001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 22
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 11, 1999
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: July 24, 1959
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release lBai:1~1~00~8 ? N ?) N Y
--1959
BLOC-INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYS I CAL; :COOPERATION .
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COPY
PB 131632-76
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INFORMATION ON SOVIET BLOC INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL COOPERATION - 195
July 24,. 1959
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF CO?MERCE
Office of Technical Services
Washington 25, D. C.
Published Weekly
Subscription Price $12.00 for the Series
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INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL COOPERATION PROGRAM --
SOVIET-BLOC ACTIVITIES
Table of Contents
1
I.
II.
General
Rockets and Artificial Earth Satellites
7
III.
Upper Atmosphere
14
IV.
V.
Meteorology
Arctic and Antarctic
15
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1k.'smeyaxiov Summarizes Two Years of Planetary Geophysical Observations
The simultaneous observation of geophysical processes on a planetary
scale were organized for the first time in history in connection with the
International Geophysical Yeear. In marking the second anniversary of the
beginning of this period of geophysical and contiguous investigations,
Academician A. N. Nesmeyanov, President of the Academy of Sciences USSR,
briefly stunmurizcd the 2 years just completed, in an article published in
Pravda. A summary of the article follows.
The program of he IGY will be completed on 31 December 1959, conse-
y,u'. xitly the principal scientific results of the investigations and obser-
vations can be expected in the ensuing years. However, from the prelimi-
nary results of the work of the program it can be seen, that, on the basis
of the collected materials, conclusions of great theoretical and practical
value can be made.
For example, in the course of processing the data on meteorology,
it has already been established that jet streams at altitudes of 9-12
kilometers are also observed in the temperate Zc.:te and not only in the
lower latitudes as previously supposed. They are even often observed
above the Polar Circle.
Investigations of the stratosphere made it possible to ascertain that
at high altitudes circulations of the terrestrial polar cyclone and the
summer anticyclone in both hemispheres spread to the equator. Parallel
aerological observations in the Arctic and Antarctic, first organized in
connection with the IGY, showed that mobile cyclones in the Antarctic are
of great intensity and have a frontal structure similar to arctic cyclones.
In addition, essential peculiarities of stratospheric processes in the
Antarctic, not observed in other regions of the Earth, were determined.
This work was under the supervision of V. A. Bugayev.
The materials of rocket meteorological investigations made it possible
to arrive at the conclusion that the temperature of the air in the polar
latitudes increases beginning with an altitude of 30-32 kilometers. Thus,
the region of cold in the stratosphere with temperatures of -80 and -90
degrees centigrade,, earlier discovered by Soviet scientists at distances
up to 24+ kilometers above the surface of the Earth, is replaced at a higher
altitude by a region with higher temperatures. This-work was led by G. I.
Golyshev. Analyses of the chemical composition of rainfall showed that in
the European part of the USSR each hectare of ground yearly receives 3-4+
kilograms of nitrogen, 5 kilograms of chlorine, 4-10 kilograms of calcium
and 10-20 kilograms of sulphur from rainfall. This work was conducted by
Ye. S. Selezneva.
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Comply ~,cc;st:.o.Ior.;.icrt]. :Lr,ve , l'. t.ioris of the wort d ocean, lunp 'cc erlentcd
Ll'r & cop :, CL~'e L t.t:i.ir(; Cgil; :(tc l'.i (~ by m an.y ships. Intereoting conclusions Were
;.t"I so (.)ut.aiu.(:ct in tllit, Fort ex:unpple, it was shown that the ci.cpths
of thy:: :~ccaz,s uricl seas cannot br t.t::cd. for dumping radioactive wastes because
ai' the ex:LF;te,tr,e of ve]. eurrcrrto which would bear these wastes to the
;ut.facc a ,ain. Cor:ci J.(:r.~l ].c ;;,accc:;r;c , wore achieved in the study of the
deep circulation of the , 1;he interaction of the ocean with the at-
moophcre, and Cluj?tuo.t:Lon,_-? in lapel.
Investi'm:.t:i.on;s of ice covers, particularly in the Antarc-
tic, i;J.vc J.mp(v?ta.rit cl.c; tn. problems of change in climate, for
dotc;lriiriir. ; the role of :ice in the evolution of our planet, and of their
influence on a whole series of cophysical and geological processes.
In the of the gaseous, liquid, and solid envelopes
of the Earth, investigations of the upper part of the Earth's atmosphere
occupy a central place. The launching of artificial earth satellites and
rockets in conjunction with the conduct of indirest observations from
ground stations and observatories working according to the IGY program
opened. great possibilities in this field. Studies of the density, pres...
sure and temperature in the tipper layers of the atmosphere and of cosmic
matter penetrating into the upper atmosphere from the Sun and from uni-
versal space are being conducted with the aid of artificial earth satel-
lites.
The experiments conducted in satellites and rockets made it possible
to carry out studies of ultra-violet, and X-ray radiation from the Sun and
to detect and investigate the zone of cosmic radiation near the Earth, the
concentration of meteoric mat-ter in space and to conduct a number of other
experiments extremely interesting from the viewpoint of astrophysical re-
search.
All of the work in the field of: astrophysics fulfilled in the process
of direct investigatior..s of cosmi space is of interest not only from the
viewpoint of knowing the universe but also from the viewpoint of studying
our own planet. Accumulated scientific data permits a wider cosmogonic
generalization, and to know more about the structure, composition, and
evolution of the Earth. 7,b.e.lr are also necessary for studying the atmos-
phere and for clarifying a number of problems on the physics of the Earth,
of geodesy and geology.
The period of observations according to the IGY program coincides with
the period of maximum solar activity. Observations of phenomena on the Sun
have been increased considerably in the USSR during this period. The work
of the Soviet geomagnetologists N. V. Pushkov, S. Sh. Dolginov, Yu. D.'
Kalinin, and others, on the materials obtained with Sputnik III led, for
example, to the conclusion that both main parts of the permanent geomagnetic
field, ..the field of homogeneous magnetization and'- the' field of world
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anomalies, decrease in proportion to the distance from the Earth's sur-
face at approximately the same speed. This means that the source of the
field of world anomalies lies at the same depth in the Earth as that in
which the field of homogeneous magnetization arises. Analyzing these data,
scientists consider that the "ferromagnetic" theory of geomagnetization
explaining the main part of the geomagnetic field by natural magnetization
of the Earth's crust, is unfounded.
The study of geomagnetic storms, now being registered by a network of
stations with very high accuracy, made it possible for V. I. Afanas'yeva,
V. A. Troitskiya, and other specialists to arrive, each in his own field,
at interesting and prospective conclusions. For example, it was established
that magnetic storms in which short period variations are absent are
caused by corpuscular streams passing by the Earth. A characteristic change
in the periods of pulsation within the limits of intense magnetic, storms
was noted. In connection with these, it is assumed that the corpusculer
flow gradually disturbs the layers of the atmosphere nearer and nearer the
Earth, and the periods change in accordance with changes in the electrical
parameters from layer to layer.
The Zaxya, only non-magnetic ship in the world, has traveled about
48,000 nautical miles conducting continuous observations under the super-
vision of M. M. Ivanov, chief of the expedition, according to the program
adopted. Despite the fact that, the processing of the Zarya's material has
only just begun, a number of new facts have already been noted. For ex-
ample, over a great number of depths in the Atlantic, earlier unknown mag-
netic anomalies have been discovered. In certain regions great inaccuracies
in existing magnetic maps have been revealed.
Stations for observations of aurorae in the USSR are equipped with new
A. I. Lebedinskiy camera systems. Other improved instruments also make it
possible to study complex magnetic phenomena. Tnvestigations, with the aid
of rockets and satellites, helped in obtaining interesting information on the
structure of the upper part of the ionosphere. The distribution of electron
concentration was calculated; it was established that the number of electrons
in the upper part of the ionosphere is 3.6 times greater than in the lower
part. On the basis of the calculation of neutral particles in the atmosphere,
the limit of the Earth's atmosphere, that is, where the density of the atmos-
phere is equal to that of interplanetary gas, was placed at 3,000 kilometers.
These calculations are the first attempts to determine the thickness of our
atmosphere according to radio data.
The well-organized set-up for the vertical sounding of the ionosphere
in an expanded station network is the basis for many important generaliza-
tions. Work in this field is conducted by N. P. Benkova and other special-
ists on the ionosphere. It has been established that in forecasting iono-
spheric conditions, all the manifestations of solar activity in all of its
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varieties must be takuri :int'o consideration and not only separate f onus of
such manii'e rt.ations . As a wrzole, the forecasting of conditions in the
ionosphere, important for r -d.io coiranunicet:ion, has been considerably im-
proved. Observations con ducted on atmospheric disturbances are of great
benefit in calculating the range of working frequencies in radio communica-
tion.
Information concerning earlier unknown meteor streams was obtained,
the pot ition of the;i.r orbits in the solar system was determined, and such
parameters of the upper at? n..osph re as density, pressure, and temperature
were calculated according to meteor photographs. This work was under the
supervision. of V. V. Fedynskiy and. V. P. Tsesevich.
As a result of complex. investigations of cosmic rays, valuable data
concerning variations in the intensity of cosmic rays were obtained which
aid in defining their sources and their relation tc; solar activity, mag-
netic, meteorological and other geophysical factors. This stork was led
by S. 11. Vernov.
.
Vaaluaulc data on earthquakes in the Arctic and Antarctic was obtained
under the supervision of Ye. F. Savarenskiy. The results of large-scale
expeditionary ope:rat:i.oi:n.j on the st:zdy of the Earth's crust in the Kuril-
Kar:rchatka zone by deer seei.,~ui..i c soac.ding are of great scientific and practi-
cal. value .
One of the compares i. sly new methods of studying the internal str uc-.
tore of the Earth is the io r of elastic earth tides. It is
known for example, that; in Moscow, the tidal wave in 12 hours can reach
50-60 cerrt.i~rie: tcrs . This means that the whole city is raised in a vertical
direction a half meter ,-rice a day. Work in the field of earth tides (Yu.
D. Bulanzhe and N. N. Pariyskiy) showed the importance of conducting observa-
tion at points remote from oceans and. especially in Central Asia where the
indirect effects caused by the shifting of the water masses of the oceans
are not felt.
Observations on irregularities in the rotation of the Earth, the speed
of propagation of radio waves and. movements of the Earth' s? poles are being
successfully conducted. This work is supervised by A. A. Mikhaylov.
Nesmeyanov concluded his article with the following paragraphs:
"In connection with the contribution which the Soviet Union is making
in the realization of the accepted program of geophysical investigations,
the authority and prestige of the USSR in international geophysical investi-
gations has grown. Sovict scientis-.s take an active part in their activi-
ties. The vice president of the Special Committee (International) for the
IGY, and the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics is V. V. Belousov.
A world center for collating and distributing all the data gathered is located
in Moscow. It is directed by P. K. Yeveseyev.
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"To more fully use the e f its and means spent, by the countries in
the conduct of the obscrvatio rl, it is necessary to organize a planned
Scientific processing of the n?que data which is arriving in the USSR
from 65 countries.
"It would be proper to c 1 the years 1960-1962 the main perird for
the scientific and practical s.' ilation of, the results of observations
according to the IGY program.
S
pecial attention must 'be given by all IGY
participants during this pert
d
to the study, analysis, and the comparison
of all of the results of the
b
xvations. The processing of data must be
accomplished with the use of
o
-rn computer techniques and the most ef-
ficient methods. The assimil
t
n of IGY materials will lead to raising
the level of geophysics and i
s
ssociated sciences, to the substantial
expansion of our knowledge of
i;
Earth, to progress in the solution of
sucdi practical problems as wet 'r forecasting, the mastering of the
oceans, the determination of r pects for changing the climate, the study
of the regimes of rivers, forecasting conditions for radio communication,
prospecting for useful minerals., ensuring cosmic flights, and also in many
other areas, part of which at .esent cannot even be determined. One can
be sure that Soviet scientist
,Our Knowledge of the Earth is Expanding," by A. N. Nesmeyanov,
President of the Academy of Sciences, USSR; Moscow, Pravda, 1 Jul 59, p 5)
Hardin Urges Speed in Assimilation of IGY Materials
Academician Ivan Bardin, vice-president of the Academy of Sciences
USSR and chairman of the Interdepartmental Committee for the Conduct of
the IGY [USSR], says in an Izvestiya article, that the successful scientific
assimilation of all IGY materials is the basic contribution of Soviet
scientists-geophysicists to the general creative activity of the Soviet
people.
Bardin predicts that in the fulfillment of the requirements of the
Seven-Year Plan, the Soviet people as never before will feel the need for
reliable weather forecasts, a knowledge of climate changes, data on rivers,
and information on ocean currents and oceanic productivity. The specific
problem of the general circulation of the atmosphere will therefore be
emphasized in the processing of the IGY material. Investigations of the
ionosphere will contribute greatly in the fulfillment of the requirements
of the Seven-Year Plan for the development of long-distance radio communi-
cation. In connection with the IGY the number of ionospheric stations were
more than doubled, whereby information concerning those regions previously
not studied was obtained. The problems of terrestrial magnetism and. ter-
restrial electricity solved on the basis of IGY materials acquire special
value for studies of the upper atmosphere studies of the phenomena occurr-
ing in plasma, and for the prospecting for useful minerals.
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Especially important in the assimilation of IGY materials is the
proper organization and apportionment of work. Therefore, says Bardin,
in deciding the stage of the work it is especially important to retain
and develop the experience of all-union planning. and coordination in
the field of geophysics. The Soviet (Interdepartmental) Committee of the
IGY with the participation of 16 departments has developed an over-all
plan according to which the assimilation of IGY materials must be begun
this year. At the last annual meeting of the Academy of Sciences USSR,
among the most important directions established for Soviet Science was
"Complex Geological Investigations of the Structure and Evolution of
the Earth".
Bardin, in his article noted that much consideration is being given
to the processing, assimilation, and, publication of IGY materials through-
out the whole world. The coordination of scientific research works on
IGY materials stands as one of the basic tasks of the new International
Committee for Cooperation in Geophysics which has already begun its activi-
ties.
In order that the assimilation of IGY materials in the USSR be done
successfully and in a short time, he said, it is already necessary to con-
centrate the use of qualified specialists in this work. "It is necessary
to organize the processing of materials with the aid of the newest computer
techniques, and in a number of cases to create special groups and bureaus
for processing IGY data. Ministries, departments and institutions must not
lower the level of geophysical works because the period of observations
according to the IGY program will be completed at the end of this year.
Observations are only the first stage of the work. The second stage of the
work is at hand. It is important that the processing and assimilation of
the IGY data be included in the departments along with the basic scientific
problems and directions. The Soviet IGY Committee is convinced that all the
many thousand collectives of IGY participants, clearly recognizing the im-
portance of the pr. oblem fa ciAc~ them, will ensure, with the aid of the super-
visors of the corresponiirg departments and institutions, the high level and
necessary tempo of scientific investigations based on the materials of the
IGY." ("The Earth in the Iaboratory," by Academician I. Bardin; Moscow,
Izvestiya, 1 Jul 59, p 4+)
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tPYRGH II
Rocket Launched, Dogs and Rabbit Recovered, Soviet Scientists Comment
The following TASS report on the launching of a geophysical single-
stage ballistic rocket on 2 July was carried in the 7 July issue of
several Soviet newspapers.
"As is known, systematic: investigations of the upper layers o the
atmosphere with the aid of single-stage ballistic rockets at various alti-
tudes have 'been carried out in the Soviet Union over a period of several
years. In the course of earlier conducted launchings, extremely valuable
scientific materials were obtained which -throw new light on the state of
the upper layers of the atmosphere and the processes originating in them.
These were reported previously in the press.
"On 2 July 1959, at 0640 Moscow Time, the launching of one of a series
of geophysical single-stage intermediate-range ballistic rockets was
carried out in accordance with the plan of scientific works for the investi-
gation of the upper layers of the atmosphere.
"The rocket was equipped with apparatus for studying the ultra-violet
part of the solar spectrum, the structure of the ionosphere, micrometeo-
ritic streams, the direction and velocity of air currents at different
altitudes, and also apparatus for determining the density, pressure, tempera-
ture and composition of the atmosphere according to altitude.
"Experimental animals, two dogs (Otvazhnaya and Snezhinka) and one
rabbit, were placed on board the rocket in order that the vital functions of
animals during the ascent to a great height might be studied. The dog
Otvazhnaya had already made three flights in rockets.
"The total weight of the scientific apparatus and animals lifted by
the rocket was more than 2,000 kilograms.
"The launching proceeded normally. A recovery system ensured the land-
ing of the compartment and the container with the scientific apparatus and
the experimental animals which were separated from the rocket.
"According to preliminary data, the program of investigations was ful-
filled and valuable materials on all the problems were obtained.
"For the first time information concerning the composition of light
gases in the atmosphere was obtained.
"The condition of the animals after landing was good. Repeated flights
by the same animals made it possible to obtain data on the adaptability of
animals to flights in rockets. New data on the behavior of animals in con-
ditions of weightlessness were obtained.
"The materials are being processed and studied."
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"'The launching of the ballistic rocket to a great height with
equipment and experimental animals is one of the great successes of Soviet
Science,' says E. Mustel', Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences
USSR. 'It was very important that the animals and equipment were returned
to Earth in complete safety. Because of this, the scientific data, which
will be obtained from an analysis of the materials of this flight, will
acquire special value. The study of the atmosphere is of great practical
value at present. It is especially important to know the mechanism of its
formation.'
"Academician A. Dorodnitsyn writes o.s follows:
"The launching of the geophysical rocket conducted in accordance
with the plan of investigations of the upper layers of the atmosphere will
contribute much new information to our knowledge of this hitherto very-
little-studied region of the atmosphere. The realization of Man's great
dream, flight beyond the limits of the Earth and flights to other planets,
is impossible without a full and sure knowledge of the conditions which
exist beyond the Earth's atmosphere in interplanetary space....'
"'To These problems precise, clear answers must be obtained. Only
after this will it be possible to make the next deciding step in conquering
the cosmos, to launch a manned rocket in interplanetary flight. As is
obvious from the enumerated problems set for the apparatus on the single-
stage ballistic rocket which made its flight on 2 July, science will obtain,
new data on a wide circle of problems and our knowledge concerning the upper
layers of the atmosphere will substantially move ahead.
"'That part of the program of investigations which is connected with
the study of the vital functions of animals during ascent to a Y.igh altitude
is of particular importance. The flight of the two dogs and the rabbit and
their safe landing made it possible to obtain data concerning the adapta-
bility of animals to unusual conditions of high G-loads and"weightlessness.
This flight of the rocket, furthermore, makes it possible to obtain informa-
tion concerning the properties of the upper atmosphere needed for more "ground
work," as for example, for increasing the reliability of long-range radio
conmiuni cation and for studvina., the conditions of high altitude flights . ' "
("The Attack on the Upper Atmosphere Continues"; Moscow, Izvestiya, 7 Jul" 59,
p 1)
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Sedov Calls Mechta Greatest Achievement of Mo..arn Science
The launching of the Soviet cosmic rocket, Mechta, toward the Moon
occurred 6 months ago. In marking the anniversary of the firing, Pravda
published an article by L. 1. Sedov, academician, that contained the follow-
ing obscruations.
The creation of the multistage cosmic rocket and its successful launch-
ing toward the Moon are the greatest achievement of modern science and engi-
neering. The building of this rocket is the natural continuation of the
work on intercontinental rockets and artificial earth satellites being con-
ducted in the Soviet Union. The rocket's flight in space made it possible
to realize a complex of most important scientific experiments for investi-
gations of the interplanetary medium. The possibility of conducting direct
scientific measurements at such great distances from the Earth was realized
for the first time.
The photograph of the sodium cloud, ejected by the cosmic rocket on
3 January a.t 3:56:20 hours is a valuable scientific document. The unique
picture was made at the astronomical station of the Pulkovo Observatory,
Acadentiy of Sciences USSR, in the Kislovodsk region. ("A Half Year Around
the Sun," Moscow, Pravda, 2 Jul 59, p 6)
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New Telescope for the Crimean Observatory
An article by Lenin Prize winner S. Ioannisiani, chief designer,
published in Izvestiya describes the new telescope being built for the
Crimean Astrophysical Observatory.
A number of large eetronomical instruments are being built in the
USSR at present. The largest of these is a parabolic reflecting-telescope
with an aperture (mirror diameter) of 2.6 meters. The creation of this
telescope, the largest in Europe, is an exceptionally complex task. It
is a precise optico-meehanica:L instrument, fully automatic. Tracking of
any celestial object is accomplished automatically.
The glass mirror of the telescope weighs more than 4 tons and its
outside diameter is 2.65 meters. A great achievement of the Soviet opti-
cal industry is the preparation of the blank for the main mirror of glass
having z. low coefficient of linear expansion. Special programed furnaces
were constructed. In these, tempering of the glass for relieving internal
stresses was carried out for. 5 months. The reflecting surface of the
mirror must be finished with the greatest accuracy. To obtain good images
of celestial objects variations in the specified shape of its surface must
not exceed one one-hundredth of a micron.
The 70-ton moving pay s of tt e new telescope rests on liquid friction
bearings, so-called "liquid cushions," thanks to which smoothness and ease
of operation are achieved.
The new gigantic instrument can be directed from central or auxiliary
control panels. A number of opspations, which astronomers were previously
compelled to perform meaua::l..y, are automatic in this telescope. Various
calculators, coordinate transf'orrxeers, and other mechanisms are used for
this purpose. On the whole, this enormous instrument is equipped with
approximately 160 different electrical machines.
It is known that the medium through which the light from the stars to
the mirror passes has a strong effect on the quality of the image. Non-
uniform heating of the atmosph^.,re in particular serves as a serious dis-
turbance. Therefore, the ^on n -ruction of the tower and its 20-meter &.a-
meter dome, where the telescope will be housed, is of great importance.
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The tower, equal in height to a ten-story building, is being con-
structed at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. Special thermal con.
struction was employeu for protecting the instrument from the hot Crimean
Sun
T
.
o eliminate alternate heating and cooling of the instrument, a
special conditioning system will be used to maintain the temperature of
the all, in the room below the cupola at the temperature expected at night
"The general assembly of the
plashed. Upon being placed into o
open new reaches of the universe t
new victories for Soviet fins nnnn it
Moscow, Izvestiya, 24 Jun 59, p 4)
B I
y oannisiani;
Soviet Reports Given at Cosmic Ray Conference
A new and original method of measuring the energy of cosmic particles
which was developed in Moscow State University was reported by N. Grigorov,
Soviet scientist, at the International Conference on Cosmic Rays which is
being held in Moscow. The method, said Grigorov, makes it possible to
conduct measurements of particles of any energy.
Also of great interest was a report on the works of a group of Soviet
scientists. under the supervision of N. Dobrotin, on the observation of the
interaction of neuclons with atomic nuclei. These studies were conducted
in the Pamirs. ("Messengers From Space"; Moscow, Pravda, 7 Jul 59, p 4)
East German Report on 6 December 1957 Meteor
On 6 December 1957, at 1225 Central European Time, an unusual natural
phenomenon was observed in Thuringia and the bordering a:rjas of Upper Fran-
conia. The author, coming out of the Sonneberg Observatory, noticed a
silver cloud formation in the otherwise cloudless northwest sky and imme-
diately suspected its connection with a large meteor. This was confirmed
when, after about 2 1/2 minutes, the sound was heard, a clap followed by
a crescive and decrescent rolling of thunder lasting 25 seconds. If it
is assumed that the cloud formed just shortly before it was first observed,
the distance of the sound source was about 50-60 kilometers; the trigono-
metric determination arrived at later was 56 kilometers. Requests via the
press-and radio brought in a great volume of observation data. In spite of
the bright sunshine, the fire ball was observed over a large area. Many
observers saw only the cloud or were attracted only by the sound of the
thunder. The Institute of Mineralogy of the University of Jena (Professor
lescope is now being sucessfully accom
ration, the gigantic telescope will
Soviet astronomers, and will
arsig ted Giant," b
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Dr Heide), which was informed immediately because of the suspicion of the
falling of a meteorite, conducted, together with the Sonneberg Observatory,
searches and measurements in the suspected area of the fall near Oberhof
in the Thuringian Forest. Collected statements of witnesses helped con-
siderably to establish the details of the phenomenon, even though no fallen
meteorites were found.
A determination of the path through the atmosphere showed that the
meteor came from a direction 18 degrees east of south with a 27-degree
inclination to the horizon. In the reverse direction the path indicated
a point (apparent radiant) at 273, degrees right ascention and minus 10.5
degrees declination in the Constellation of Ophiucus, slightly to the
west of the shield. The projected path leads almost due east past Coburg
to the Thuringian Forest. The motion of the meteor was retarded by the
resistance of the atmosphere at an altitude of 30 kilometers over a spot
10 47 E and 50 43 05 N, 5 kilometers east-northeast of OberhL2. Here the
upper, most intense part of the vapor trail was formed. From this point,
the trail extended steeply upward to a height of 26 kilometers. Short-
lived traces of vapor, however, were observed down to a height of 16 kilo-
Leters, indicating the falling of a meteorite. The strong explosion at
the point of retardation by the atmosphere leads to the assumption that
it was a stone meteorite which disintegrated into fragments. Accordingly,
a disperse fall was expected over a region somewhat north-northwest of
the projected point of retardation, that at about 10 46 E and 50 46 N.
Unfortunately, a heavy snowfall prevented the search for fragments directly
after the event.
Descriptions of the fire ball indicated that it was red at first and
ended up as a very bright bluish white light, signaling the formation of
the spherical upper part, about 300 meters in diameter, of the 4-kilometer
long vapor trail. The trail showed extensive changes of form after only
3 minutes; it spread out to one side, becoming diffuse, and moved off
slowly toward the east-northeast. Measurements of the wind over places
where the vapor trail was located showed, for a height of 30 kilometers,
a west-southwer,t wind moving seven meters per second. After 30 minutes
had elapsed, tl:p vapor cloud was no longer visible because of further
spreading and lack of contrast.
The thunder was perceived with rare integrity -- 70 reports from 59
places. The sound field was approximately elliptical in shape with the
greatest distance from west-southwest to east-northeast, and with axes 125
kilometers and 70 kilometers in length. The end of the meteor path was
considerably off-center in the western part of the sound field. The sound
carried 40 kilometers to the west-southwest and 85 kilometers in the
opposite direction. It is considered possible that the short distance to
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the edge of the zone of obtained information on the western side was a
hindrance, nevertheless subsequent inquiries were made even beyond this
zone, and several observations from region of Coburg contained no informa-
tion regarding the hearing of any sound. The assymmetry was assumed to
be the result of the west-southwest wind at high altitude. This new case
very clearly confirms a phenomenon observed earlier by other authors,
namely that, when the path is flat, the greatest intensity of the sound
is observed not below the end point, but below parts of the path lying
farther to the rear. In the present case it was particularly strong in
the region of Schmiedefeld and Giessuebel in the Thuringian Forest where
the thunder was of such an intensity that the people of the region were
of the opinion that they had felt slight vibrations, and some even sus-
pected an earthquake. It is concluded that the sound source could have
extended over the last 20-30 kilometers of the meteor path.
By way of comparison with similar events of the -.-"cent past, seven
meteorite falls in Germany have been proved since 190VI.
Forsbach near Koeln on 12 June 1900, weighing 0.24 kilogram;
Treysa, Hessen, on 3 April 1916, weighing 63 kilograms;
Simmern, Hunsrueck, on 1 July 1920, weighing 0.61, 0.47 and 0.14
kilogram;
Oesede near Osnabrueck, on 30 Dec 1927, weighing 3.6 kilograms;
Beverbruch, Oldenburg, on 10 September 1930, weighing 11.7 and 4.8 kg;
Breitscheid, Dillkreis, on 11 August 1956, weighing one kilogram; and
Ramsdorf, Muenster, on 26 July 1958, weighing 4.68 kilograms.
Only in the case of the Treysa fall was the meteorite found months
later as a result of a determination of the path, but there it was a
case of a large iron mass. The closest comparable fall to the one re-
ported here was that at Simmern on 1 July 1920, when at 0910, during bright
sunshine, a fire ball, followed by loud thunder, was. observed. Conditions
were much more favorable in that instance, since a lot of people were busy
about the countryside with the hay harvest. The fall of the meteorites
was heard at eight places, but only three were found. These eight places
lie on a line 18 kilometers long and about 2 1/2 kilometers wide. The
altitude'was almost the same as in this present case, but the path was
almost flat, which accounts for the great length of the field of scatter.
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In addition to these seven cases, there are, for the same period, at
least two other descriptions of similar phenomena, for which the optical
and acoustical observations point to the fall of masses, but for which no
meteorites were found.
A detailed report on the meteor fall of 6 December 1957 will appear
in the periodical Die Sterne, published by Joh. Ambr. Barth, Leipzig. ("The
Great Daytime Meteor of 6 December 1957," by C. Hoffmeister, Sonneberg
Observatory; Berlin, Monatsberichte der Deutschen Akademie Der Wissensch-
often zu Berlin, Vol 1, No 1, 1957, pp 2-
A New Theory on the Formation of Precipitations Being Tested in USSR
A new theory on the formation of hail and rain showers which may pos-
sible lead to finding methods for acting upon these processes had been
reported in the Soviet Union.
G. Sulakvelidze, chief of the E1'brus Expedition of the Institute
of Applied Geophysics, Academy of Sciences USSR, reports that the theory
was developed by a group of the expedition's young scientists.
The Chegem detachment of the El'brua Expedition has begun operations
in the region surrounding the village of Lechinkaya with the aim of check-
ing the theory and defining the problems of the methods of action.
The main base of the party is located 4 kilometers from Lechinkaya
on a ridge separating Chegem and the gorge of Baksan. Microphysical traps
for determining the size of hail and rain particles, and metallic corner
reflectors with the aid of which the speed and direction of air currents
in the cloud will be determined by radar, will be dropped from airplanes
flying over this region.
The trap is a metallic device weighing 5-6 kilograms which is lowered
by parachute. In addition, the cloud will be seeded from the airplane with
silver iodide crystals.
Besides the aerial operations, the detachment disposed about 20 pluvio-
graphs (metallic cylinders 1.5 meters high) in the Nal'chik and Chegem
Gorge to determine the quantity and intensity of precipitations (rain).
("Microphysical Traps Dropped From Airplane...," Moscow, Sovetskaya
Aviatsiya, 1 Jul 59*, p 4)
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V. ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC
Report From New Soviet Station Lazarev
Lazarev statipn is located on an ice shelf near Princess Astrid Coast.
A staff of seven Soviet polar scientists have been working here for over
3 months, continuing the work of the IGY program.
It is now the period of the polar night. Only for a short time around
noon the sky lightens faintly, reminding one of the "white nights" in
Leningrad. The winter is relatively mild. This is caused by the moderat-
ing influence of the vast water masses of the ocean. Thus, the average
temperature of the air in May and June was minus 18 on 19 degrees centi-
grade. However, there are days when the temperature drops to minus 30
to 35 degrees. The storms have slightly abated, but snowfall is continu-
ing.
After the storms, with winds reaching 35-40 meters per second, one
can observe icebergs breaking off the western edge of the ice shelf "tongue,"
8-16 kilometers north of the station. Studies are being made of the forma-
tion of these huge icebergs.
The average height of radiosonde launchings during the winter reaches
17 kilometers. Studies are made of the temperature of the snow cover, of
its structure by layers, and of the microrelief of the snow surface. As
a result of magnetic storms, radio contact with Mirnyy is often distrupted.
I. Ozerov, radio technician, is testing a subsnow antenna, built into a
25-meter deep hole. ("Radio Report From Queen Maud Land," Moscow, Vodnyy
Transport) 2 Jul 59)
Exploration of New Mountains in Antarctica
Four Soviet geologists, including Prof M. Ravich, Pavel Voronov,
Dmitriy Solov'yev, and Lev Klimov, members of the Fourth Antarctic Ex-
pedition, spent some tine exploring the mountains of Queen Maud Land,
.in a region where no human being had previously set foot.
In February and March 1959, while the new station Lazarev was being
set up on Princess Astrid Coast, the scientists explored the eastern part
of the mountain region, extending over 1,000 kilometers, with the help of
a light AN-6 Airplane. For the first time Soviet scientists saw these
mountain ranges which have a strange beauty, often quite.unlike any
"earthly" mountain scenery. From a distance some of the mountain peaks
appear translucent, like rock crystal. Flat peaks alternate with pointed
and pyramidal peaks. Gigantic needles of rock rise vertically to the
sky.
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This majestic mountain wilderness of Antarctica is rich in various
minerals, including useful minerals such as mica, graphite, iron, and
apatite. The Soviet scientists called this region a geological paradise;
the history of the rocks could be read from their surface, polished by
the glaciers.
A field camp of three tents was set up in the center of these moun-
tains, about 150 kilometers south of the place where the Ob' was anchored
at Princess Astrid Coast. The newly discovered mountains in this region
were called the Russian Mountains; they were first sighted from an a~rplane
by Dubinin, captain cf the Ob', caring a search for 'a site to build the new
station. The Czech astronomer Antonin Mkros joined the flight party'for
the specific purpose of determining the exact location of the mountains,
which had not been shown on any of the existing geographical maps.
On lii. February, a heavy snowstorm with winds of 50 meters per second
was raging near the coast, where the Ob' was anchored. However, the storm
had not yet reached the mountain area and the weather there was calm. The
plane left the coast at 0700 hours. After an hour's flight, the mountains
had disappeared. For many kilometers ahead only the surface of the ice
sheet, crossed by many crevasses, was visible. Then suddenly the contours
of numerous new mountain peaks were outlined on the horizon.
A dark cliff, resembling the monument to Peter I in Leningrad, was
visible directly below the wing of the airplane. This rock has now been
given the name of the well-known Russian polar explorer-Vladimir Rusanov.
Next to it is another mountain, resembling a 100-story skyscraper; it
consists of a brown monolith of granite, with white lenses of quartz
scattered over its surface, giving them the appearance of windows.
It was impossible to land the plane near these cliffs. After a long
search for a landing site, the AN-6 finally landed on a strip-of snow
descending from one of the lower mountains. At the foot of this mountain,
at an altitude of 2,000 meters, a snowstorm broke out and the air tempera-
ture dropped to minus 20 degrees centigrade. The characteristic antarctic
wind formed by cold air masses from the interior of the continent, in com-
bination with the snowstorm, made it impossible to climb the mountain.
Only the most persistent efforts made it possible to explore the
mountain, named Zhelannaya (Desired One) by the Soviet scientists. Here
numerous rare minerals were accumulated in their natural form. Through
the efforts of A. Mkros, the location of the Russian Mountains will now
be entered accurately on the map.
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CPYRGHT
The heavy snowstorm began on 15 February and continued for 3 days,
during which it was impossible to leave the tent. With the help of a
gas stove, the temperature in the tent was maintained at about 3 degrees
centigrade. On 19 February, the weather cleared and the flights to the
unknown mountains continued.
Explorations in this region continued for 10 days. The antarctic
fall was approaching and sunny days were becoming less frequent. However,
flights continued even when the temperature had dropped almost 10 degrees.
The plane later took off from the landing strip near the station Lazarev,
where the first buildings had been erected by this time.
Some of the mountain peaks assume the moat fantastic shapes. Steep
cliffs rising to 500 meters alternate with higher peaks resembling sharpened
pencils. Other peaks have the form of strange wild beasts, crumbling for-
tresses, or phantastic trees. Some ranges resemble caravans of camels,
and others look like ruins of cities. The scenery has an almost unearthly
aspect; it seems like a landscape on the moon.
Individual cliffs with heights of several hundred meters rise almost
vertically to the sky. 'Intricate patterns of folds appear on their surface,
consisting of the most ancient, brown and green metamorphic rock. Some
of the rocks are split up into separate blocks. As a result of movement
and friction against one another, the surfaces of the blocks have been pol-
ished to mirror-like smoothness, Mica-bearing veins are found between the
blocks. Some rocks consist of rose-colored granites, and others of snow-
white marble, the sediments of the oldest seas on the Earth. The marble
is so saturated with various crystals that the rocks represent a natural
mineralogical museum.
The scientists collected valuable geological samples in the mountains.
As a result of their work, the first schematic geological map of the
eastern part of Queen Maud Land will be published. The collected material
will throw light on many problems concerning the origin of the most ancient
metamorphic and magmatic rocks on the Earth.
Lazarev station was opened on 10 March. A small group of men, headed
by Yuriy Kruchinin, remained here for the winter to conduct year-round
observations of various natural phenomena. ("Among Unknown Mountains,"
Moscow, Vodnyy Transport, 30 Jun 59)
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Hyrirographic Expedition in Kara Sea
The hydrographic expedition, which started out in February and covered
1,600 kilometers over the ice of the Kara Sea, has been completed success-
fully. The sled-tractor train with members of the expedition traveled
along a cc:nplicated route. The polar scientists had been given the task
of studying the relief of the ocean bottom in a vast area of the northeast
portion of the Kara Sea.
? Over 15,000 holes were drilled in the 3-meter thick ice for the purpose
of taking ocean depth measurements. Navigational signs were set up along
the route. ("1,600 Kilometers Over the Ice of the Kara Sea," Moscow,
Pravda, 25 Jun 59)
Service Anniversary of Polar Scientist
Recently, the Piramida Mine on Spitsbergen celebrated the 25th service
anniversary of Nikolay Vasil'yevich Onufreychik, hydrometeorologist. He
has been working in the Arctic continuously since 19311.. He acquired a
number of specialties required for the study of the Arctic and worked at
many polar stations, including Mys Zhelaniya, Dikson, Medvezh'i Ostrova,
and as chief of the meteorological station at Spitsbergen.
In connection with the IGY program, N. Onufreychik was again sent to
Spitsbergen as an experienced specialist.
A large crowd was gathered in he club of the mine to honor the vet-
eran of the Arctic. ("Anniversary of Polar Scientist," Moscow, Vodnyy
Transport, 2 Jul 59)
New Geographical Names in the Arctic
The Council of the Geographical Society USSR has approved the names
of a number of geographical features, discovea.,ed by Soviet explorers in
the Arctic Ocean.
The central, deep-water portion of the ocean, bordered by the slopes
of the continental shelf, will in future be called the Arctic Basin.
The submarine mountain range, extending parallel to the Lomonosov
Range across the Arctic Basin (from the area of Ostrov Vrangelya to Elles-
mere Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago) has been named Mendeleyev
Range.
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Names have been assigned to specific parts of the Arctic Basin. The
portion adjoining the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by the Lomonosov Range, has
been named the Nansen Trough (ko?.iovina), and the portion between the
Lomonosov Range and Mendeleyev Range has been named the Makarov Trough.
The area with the greatest depth (5,220 meters) discovered in the Nansen
Trough during the drift of the icebreaker G. Sedov has been called the
G. Sedov Depression (%,padina). Another depression in the same basin
has been called the icebreaker Litke Depression.
In honor of the Soviet diesel electric ship Lena, the trench cutting
through the Nansen Sill in a submeridional direction, in the northern part
of the Greenland Sea, has been named the Lena Trench (zhelob).
The bank near the Northeast Cape of Greenland has been named the Ob'
Bank in honor of the diesel electric ship by that name.
The northwestern submarine extension of Spitsbergen will be called
the Yermak Plateau. ("On The Map Of The Arctic," Moscow, Pravda, 30 Jun
59)
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