Equivalent thickness of the outer ionosphere obtained by evaluation of Faraday records

With an appropriate system of higher order approximations the Faraday-effect is calculated for instantaneous ionospheric models the data of which are derived from the results of vertical soundings. Only one parameter which corresponds to the thickness of the outer ionosphere is left open; it is determined by global comparison with simultaneous Faraday-observations of satellite emissions. The thickness parameter shows various forms of variation with latitude; an increase towards north is the rule for quiet daytime conditions. Comparison with local methods shows considerable differences due to the indetermination of the absolute number of rotations.     

Klimatologische Untersuchung über die geographische Verteilung der Globalstrahlung und der diffusen Himmelsstrahlung

Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende strahlungsklimatologische Studie verfolgt den Zweck, ausschließlich auf Grund von Meßergebnissen anhand ausgewählter Beispiele gegensätzlicher Großaumklimate zunächst die typischen Eigenschaften des Jahresganges der Globalstrahlung (T) und der diffusen Himmelsstrahlung (D) zu untersuchen. In Ergänzung hierzu werden häufigkeitsstatistische Betrachtungen über die Eigenheiten im Verhalten dieser Strahlungselemente im Bereich verschieden beschaffener geographischer Räume angestellt. Dabei zeigt sich, daß neben dem jahreszeitlichen Ablauf auch die Häufigkeitsverteilungen vonT undD sich zur Klimatypisierung heranziehen lassen. Ein besonderes Interesse beansprucht der jahreszeitliche Verlauf des VerhältnissesD/T in den Hauptklimazonen der Erde. Ferner wird die Breitenabhängigkeit der Globalstrahlung (T), der diffusen Himmelsstrahlung (D) und des VerhältnissesD/T behandelt. Hinsichtlich der Höhenabhängigkeit ergibt sich auf Grund des Verhaltens vonT undD für die gemäßigten Breiten eine Abnahme des QuotientenD/T. Den Abschluß bilden strahlungsklimatologische Überlegungen zur Frage der Abhängigkeit des VerhältnissesD/T von der Sonnenscheindauer im Bereich charakteristischer Klimazonen der Erde.

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Summary The present study of radiation climatology, exclusively basing on results of measurements, presents selected examples of contrary large-scale climatic conditions and examines the typical features of the annual variation of global radiation (T) and diffuse sky radiation (D). Supplementary considerations on frequency statistics refer to the peculiarities in the behaviour of these two radiation elements in different geographical areas. It results that beside the seasonal variation frequency distributions ofT andD can be used for a characterization of radiation climates. The seasonal variation of the characteristic ratioD/T in the main climatic zones of the earth is of particular interest. Furthermore, the latitudinal dependency of global radiation (T), diffuse sky radiation (D) and of the ratioD/T is discussed. As to the dependence on altitude the ratioD/T shows a decrease in temperate latitudes on account of the behaviour ofD andT. Finally climatological reflections on the dependence of the ratioD/T on the duration of sunshine in characteristic climatic regions of the earth are discussed.

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Résumé La présente étude de la climatologie du rayonnement a pour but de déterminer les propriétés typiques de l'évolution annuelle du rayonnement global (T) et du rayonnement diffus du ciel (D) et cela exclusivement sur la base de mesures faites et d'exemples choisis parmi des climats très différenciés. En complément, on prend en considération des statistiques de la fréquence des particularités de ces deux éléments à l'intérieur d'aires géographiques de climats divers. On en déduit que, à côté de l'évolution annuelle, la répartition des fréquences deT et deD permettent d'établir le type du climat. L'évolution saisonnière du rapportD/T est tout spécialement intéressant dans les principales zones climatiques de la terre. On considère ensuite la dépendance du rayonnement global (T), du rayonnement diffus du ciel (D) et du rapportD/T de la latitude du lieu. Dans les zones tempérées, le quotientD/T diminue avec l'altitude. L'auteur termine par des réflexions concernant la climatologie du rayonnement en relation avec la dépendance du rapportD/T de la durée d'insolation dans des zones climatiques caractéristiques de notre planète.

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Some implications of statistical transport theory in rock mechanics

Summary Recently, a new theory of the subsidence of rock masses has been advanced byLitwiniszyn and coworkers, which is based on the notion that the individual rock particles perform random walks. It is shown in the present paper that the final equations of the random walk theory can be justified from general principles of statistical mechanics in which no specific theoretical model of particle behaviour has to be made. The theory appears to account appropriately for subsidence phenomena.The research reported in this paper was supported by the Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society. Acknowledgment is made to the donors of the Petroleum Research Fund administered by the American Chemical Society for support of this reseach.     

Geomagnetic multipoles, 1829 to 1960

Summary Using the results of spherical harmonic analyses of the geomagnetic field for some fourteen different epochs, includingGauss' first analysis for epoch 1835, and theErman-Petersen analysis for epoch 1829, the strength and axes of geomagnetic multipoles have been computed. In particular, a dipole from the three first order spherical harmonic coefficients, a quadrupole from five second order coefficients, and an octupole from seven third order coefficients. The axes of the quadrupole and octupole have moved quite rapidly when compared with movements of the dipole axis, and show a general movement westwards. Although the strength of the dipole has generally diminished, the strengths of the quadrupole and octupole have generally increased.On leave National University of La Plata, Argentina     

IDENTIFYING AND ASSESSING PROBLEM AREAS IN SOIL EROSION SURVEYS USING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS

Gully erosion has for many years been a problem in Rhodesia1s Tribal Trust Lands. This paper describes how Soil Conservation Service staff, with no previous ground knowledge of these areas, used good quality 1/25,000 scale aerial photographs to measure the extent of the gully erosion and to pinpoint erosion “black spots.” This enabled quick and reliable estimates of the cost of reclamation work to be made without the need for time-consuming field survey. The survey method discussed is capable of wide application wherever gully erosion occurs and needs to be brought under control.