Atmospheric‐electric observations at the College‐Fairbanks Polar‐Year Station

Abstract

There is a very great lack of extended series of observations of the electrical elements of the lower atmosphere in the northern latitudes and particularly is this true of those regions to the north of our own Continent. Several expeditions into the Arctic have made measurements of the atmospheric potential‐gradient, but very few measurements of such elements as air‐conductivity or ionic content have even been attempted. The interval of the International Polar Year of 1932–33 was recognized as a very desirable time to obtain additional observations in the field of atmospheric electricity, from both administrative and scientific viewpoints Simultaneous observations of meteorological and other related phenomena would be obtained and would be available later for study toward the end of determining those factors influencing the electrical state of the atmosphere and of course in finally fitting all the factors together in a complete picture. So it was that a comprehensive observaticna1 program in atmospheric electricity was planned for the College‐Fairbanks Polar‐Year Station to be carried out at College, Alaska.