Disturbances in the lower ionosphere caused by a low altitude nuclear explosion

Abstract

Observations of the lower ionospheric disturbance caused by a low altitude nuclear explosion are presented. A forward scatter radar, frequency 41 MHz, power 2.5 kW, was used to study these disturbances. The first radar scattering signal consisting of three peaks appeared 40 s after the explosion. It was due to early ionization by delayed y-rays. The second kind of disturbance generated after 190 s was clearly different from the first. The scattering signal had a constant component which indicated a strong specular reflection. The field strength increased by more than 20 db. This disturbance was produced by the direct shock wave. The third kind of disturbance began after 8 min, lasted 5.0 min, and was probably dominated by the fireball/smoke cloud oscillation when it reached its stabilization altitude and approached hydrodynamical equilibrium with the ambient atmosphere. Using numerical computation techniques, we have explained the above results well.