MEASUREMENT OF WORLDWIDE DIURNAL ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY VARIATIONS

Abstract

An evaluation is made of techniques that have been or could be employed to determine the existence and nature of worldwide variations in atmospheric electric phenomena. I n the course of a discussion of surface measurements, data from six sites on the surface of thc earth are presented. The use of airborne vehicles in studies of global phenomena is discussed and results from soundings and transits are presented. It is concluded that the use of instru-mented aircraft is potentially the most promising technique to use, but that thc expenditure of more carc and effort than has been employed in the past is required if this potential is t o be realized.