THE EARTH'S ROOF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 17

THE EARTH'S ROOF.

RADIO IMPULSES REFLECTED

RUSSIA'S ECLIPSE DISCOVERIES. MOSCOW. Indications that the earth's electrified i oof, whicli, many miles above the surface of the globe, reflects back radio impulses, is formed mostly as a result ,of ultra-violet sun radiations, appeared in preliminary results of .solar eclipse observations.

Professor Boris Gerasimovich, head of the Soviet eclipse expedition, said he had been informed that indications of a decisive influence of these radiations in the formation of the electrified roof, or inonosphere, had been obtained in a quick examination of results. He warned, however, that the information still had to be checked.

The ionosphere, by multiple reflections, makes long-distance radio transmission possible. The question of whether the ionosphere is formed 'by the direct influence of ultra-violet sun rays or is the consequence of a permanent bombardment of the earth by electrified particles emitted by the sun long has been debated in scientific circles.

Professor K. Keesenik, "head of the Soviet expedition at Tomsk, said a great change was noticed in the behaviour of the ionosphere beginning 15 minutes before the total eclipse, when the audibility of radio signals was sharply .increased.