Handbook of Geophysics [antikvár]

PREFACE As we boldly take up the challenge of space exploration, our attention is focused upon our atmosphere and upon the earth's neighbors in space: the moon, the other planets, and the sun. The need for geophysical and astro-physical information has become critical for the design of aircraft, missiles, and satellites. The HANDBOOK OF GEOPHYSICS is an attempt by the U. S. Air Force to organize some of these data into compact form. The first edition of the Handbook was intended for the Air Force engineer or designer who must consider environmental factors in planning for the design phase of his program. This revised edition is published so an up-to-date edition will be available to all organizations and individuals who have a need for this type of geophysical information. Both editions were prepared by the Geophysics Research Directorate of the Air Force Cambridge Research Center. In preparing the Handbook, many sources of information were used. Major contributions were made by various industrial contractors, universities, and private individuals. The data incorporated have been gathered from satellite and rocket observations, a solar observatory at Sunspot, New Mexico, Arctic expeditions, numerous aircraft flights, laboratory experiments, and balloon flights, to mention just a few. This edition of the HANDBOOK OF GEOPHYSICS is not presented as all-inclusive or the last word. Despite all the work that has gone into this volume, there is a keen awareness of its limitations. There is yet much to be learned, not only about the lower reaches of our atmosphere, but about the Van Allen radiation belts, lunar and planetary environments, the sun, and the earth's magnetic field, and many other topics. Some of these topics are not covered in this edition. In other areas the data presented will rapidly become obsolescent. Nevertheless, the Handbook should prove a valuable source of environmental data not only to the Department of Defense, scientists, and industrial designers and engineers, but also to students and laymen. The Air Force, the Air Research and Development Command, and those who utilize this volume are indebted to the Geophysics Research Directorate for the extensive effort which resulted in this HANDBOOK OF GEOPHYSICS. Bernard A. Schriever Lieutenant General, United States Air Force Commander of the Air Research and Development Command