Geographical Aspects of Cosmic-Ray Studies

Abstract

The advantages of high-mountain stations for cosmic-ray studies are discussed. It is pointed out that such stations provide a place to which heavy equipment can be carried and at which observations can be made as long as required. While airplanes can fly to higher elevations they cannot carry such heavy equipment or remain as long; balloons can go higher than airplanes, but are still more limited in the weight they can support; rockets and satellites can go much higher than balloons, but both are limited in the weight they can support, and rockets stay at high elevations for only very short times. In 1960 there were about 60 or 70 cosmic ray observing stations located above 10,000 ft. Factors influencing the location of these stations are discussed. Current trends in cosmic ray research are reviewed. Applications of C/sup 14/, tritium, helium, and Be/sup 10/ in studies on the composition and history of the earth, applications of cosmic ray studies in the field of solar-terrestrial relationships, applications in determining the interrelationships between the branches of geophysics, and applications in studies on the environment of the earth are discussed briefiy. Data on the relative values of cosmic ray intensity at sea levelmore » are presented for various longitudes. (C.H.)« less