526 BULLETIN AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY

NEWS AND NOTES

International Programs in Atmospheric Sciences

A proposed global weather service and scientific study— the atmosphere and fluids in motion, and to estimate the incorporating meteorological satellites, unmanned obser- rate at which these advances may lead to progress in vational platforms, and devices not yet on the drawing weather forecasting and related services. Finally, ad- boards—is outlined in a report issued in April to the vances in physics and a better understanding of the world scientific community by the National Academy of atmospheric responses to energy inputs point toward pos- Sciences—National Research Council. sibilities of modification of large-scale weather processes The report calls for an unprecedented collaboration be- to meet human needs." tween scientific institutions and national governments in Looking to the future, the committee's report adds, atmospheric research, meteorological service, atmos- "Perhaps one of the most important achievements to be pheric surveiliance, and meteorological education "to looked for in the near future will come from development raise the effectiveness of the meteorological services on a of communication between observation platforms. Espe- world-wide basis." cially equipped communication satellites may be used to "The aims go further," the report continues, "from monitor signals from high-level balloons, aircraft, rock- prediction to modification or control." ets, etc., to scan the atmosphere for disastrous storms The collaboration would take place through the non- and other important phenomena, and report to ground governmental International Council of Scientific Unions stations. Such extension will result in a functional sys- and the World Meteorological Organization, a United tem zvhich combines the advantages of direct and indi- Nations body. rect probes; it will provide not only in situ observations Author of the report was a representative committee but also gradients and integrated values of great im- of U. S. atmospheric scientists organized by the Geo- portance in research as well as in forecasting. physics Research Board of the Academy-Research Coun- "Finally, continued development of space technology cil in response to a United Nations resolution of 1961 may provide techniques for local modification of solar calling on both governmental and nongovernmental inputs, either by concentrating them or by interfering agencies for a cooperative effort in the atmospheric sci- with their transmission to earth. If successful, such ences. Chairman of the committee was Dr. Sverre manipulations could be used not only to modify weather Petterssen, professor of meteorology at the University of systems in the lower atmosphere but also to control Chicago. Chairman of the Geophysics Research Board important composition characteristics of the high atmos- is Dr. Merle Tuve, director of the department of ter- phere with influence on telecommunication and other restrial magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington. fields."

Recent Advances Emphasized Practical Applications The committee noted that "a number of scientific ad- vances and practical considerations combine to make Among the practical considerations that call for "a this an opportune time to secure decisive growth of our major effort to extend our knowledge of the atmospheric understanding of the behavior of the atmosphere, to place processes and to improve weather forecasting and cli- weather forecasting on a firmer scientific basis, and to matological services," the report cites the following: explore the challenging possibilities of modifying large- —"Real mastery of space may well depend upon the scale weather systems and climate. . . . extent to which we are able to understand our own "Progress in the atmospheric sciences depends not only atmosphere and its responses to solar activity." upon advances in the physical sciences in general but —". . . our ability to predict and modify weather phe- also upon technological developments, and both areas nomena on earth depends ultimately upon our reservoir have gone forward with extraordinary speed in recent of knowledge of solar-terrestrial interactions." years. The development of the electronic computer, high —"If atomic energy is to be used extensively for in- level balloons, aircraft, rockets, satellites, tracer tech- dustrial purposes, we shall need more precise knowledge niques, and a number of indirect means of probing the of what the atmosphere does with waste products." atmosphere have made it possible, for the first time in In addition, the report refers to the immense strain history, to keep the whole atmosphere under constant sur- that will be imposed on world-wide agricultural pro- veillance and to process vast amounts of data 011 a 'real ductivity by doubling populations and the waste of life time scale.' Furthermore, general advances in the physi- and property through destruction by the elements. Cor- cal sciences have made it possible to formulate and rosion of materials through air pollution alone costs the solve fundamental problems concerning: the behavior of U. S. $5 billion a year, the report notes.

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Global Coverage Needed the view that these motions reflect some kind of coupling between the lower ionosphere and the higher regions, Declaring that "it is highly desirable and possibly es- and it is of importance to explore the nature of this sential that the entire globe be sampled," the report interaction. cites WMO studies indicating that about 90 per cent of "Synoptic-scale disturbances in the layer from 80 to the surface of the earth has an inadequate number of 100 km are found sometimes to be in phase with the upper-air observing stations. circulations at and below 16 km for periods of ten days "What is required/' the report states, "is a new ap- or more. This suggests the existence of a link between proach to measurement in the free atmosphere and at the the lower ionosphere and the troposphere, but the nature earth's surface in areas difficult of access. ... Of par- of this coupling is not understood. ticular importance are the rapidly developing techniques "The lower ionosphere is strongly affected by changes associated with satellites and floating balloons, and with in solar radiation and by charged particles flung out miniaturized sensors and transmitters. These, together from the sun during solar storms, but the meteorological with telecommunication via satellites and unmanned ob- consequences of these interactions have not been ex- servational platforms (e.g., automatic land and ocean sta- plored." tions) constitute important components of a global upper- Working papers prepared by the Petterssen committee air and surface data-acquisition system." have already served to provide scientific guidance to the The report continues: "One of the promising develop- U. S. delegation to the Fourth Congress of the World ments in the field of unmanned devices is the super-pres- Meteorological Organization now under way in Geneva. sure balloon. Balloons weighing only about 1 kilogram The completed report has also been sent to the Office have been developed with a capablity of floating at of Science and Technology for study by appropriate constant density levels for periods of one or more months. agencies of the Federal Government and to interested Through the use of such unballasted balloons, with thin- scientific groups throughout the world. film electronics, hazard to aircraft will be greatly reduced The National Academy of Sciences is a private or- and the information-to-cost ratio is likely to be very ganization of scientists and engineers devoted to the high. Under the continuous surveillance of satellites, the furtherance of science and its use for the general welfare. locations of the balloons can be determined at desired It was established by Congressional charter in 1863 in intervals, thus providing wind observations, in addition part to advise the Federal Government, upon request, on to measuring pressure, temperature, humidity, ozone, and matters of science and technology. This provision ac- other atmospheric variables." counts for the close ties that have always existed between the Academy and the Federal Government although the Need to Know More Above 100,000 Feet Academy is not a governmental agency. Special attention is given to our "exceedingly meager" understanding of the earth's atmosphere above 80,000 feet, currently the performance limits of conventional US-Brazil Cooperation in Space Research balloons and instruments. The report points out, how- ever, that the region of the atmosphere between 100,000 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and 300,000 feet is "one of emerging importance with and the Brazilian National Commission for Space Ac- respect to exciting research opportunities. It is the link tivities (CNAE) announced in May the signing of a between the upper part of the atmosphere, which is more Memorandum of Understanding for a cooperative pro- sensitive and responds more or less directly to solar gram in space research for peaceful scientific purposes of changes, and the lower atmosphere, which responds more mutual interest. indirectly." The CNAE plans to conduct studies of the equatorial Four of these research opportunities are listed: ionosphere by monitoring satellite radio transmissions. "The flow patterns and the thermal structure of the Three research stations straddling the geomagnetic equa- mesosphere and the lower ionosphere are at least as com- tor are to be established. The stations will be located at plex as are their counterparts in the troposphere. Mo- the following places and geomagnetic latitudes: Belem bile disturbances are common, and, at times, sudden and (12 N), Natal (3 S), and San Jose dos Campos (11 S). dramatic changes occur and appear to spread downward. This series of stations will provide an excellent op- The phenomenon called sudden stratospheric ivarming portunity to study variations in the ionosphere at a is a typical example; for reasons which are not well point of major scientific interest. The results of the understood, it occurs preferably in late winter and early research will be made freely available to the world spring. community of scientists. "There is a pronounced semi-annual variation of the No exchange of funds between CNAE and NASA wind and horizontal temperature gradient near the base is contemplated. NASA will loan to CNAE certain sci- of the ionosphere, broadly between 80 and 100 km, the entific equipment mutually agreed upon and not available existence of which is clearly evident in observations on in Brazil. CNAE will construct, equip, and operate the meteor trails. A similar semi-annual effect has been three research stations, and provide transportation, as- inferred from measurements of satellite drags at much sembly, installation, operation, and maintenance of the higher levels. There is some evidence in support of equipment on loan under this cooperative program.

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NAS Carty Medal Awarded to Ewing "As a result of population growth and expansion of our civilization, the world is rapidly approaching a critical The Carty Medal of the National Academy of Sci- shortage of fresh water. It is now plain that the ences was awarded in April to Dr. Maurice Ewing, in- problem of fresh-water supply will impress itself with ternationally known geophysicist and director of Co- increasing force upon the world. Greater ingenuity and lumbia University's Lamont Geological Observatory. human effort, as well as an increasing portion of the na- The presentation was made at the Academy's 100th An- tional incomes, must be spent on procurement of water. nual Meeting in Washington. It is plain also that the problems of water management This award, made "for noteworthy and distinguished have important international aspects. Further increases accomplishment in any field of science coming within in population and expansion of our civilization will the scope of the charter of the Academy," recognized create new demands on our water supply. A durable so- Dr. Ewing's leading role as an interpreter of the Earth's lution to the water problems of the world can come only structure and of the million-year epoch before recent from improved techniques of water-resource management, geological history known as the Pleistocene Period. based upon a deeper understanding of the physical proc- Among Dr. Ewing's achievements are the first seismic esses that control the hydrological cycle." measurements in the open sea, which resulted in the discovery in 1949 that the Earth's mantle lies only about 7 miles below sea level, compared to about 30 miles United States-Japan Cooperative below the land surface. Science Programs Dr. Ewing's previous honors include the Vetlesen Prize in 1960 and the Rice University Medal of Honor The United States-Japan Cooperative Science Pro- in 1962. He is a member of the National Academy grams have been established to foster closer collaboration of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sci- between the two countries through shared support for ences, the American Philosophical Society, the Royal activities of common scientific interest. The presently Netherlands Academy of Sciences and Letters, and a past approved areas for cooperative activity include: exchange president of both the Seismological Society of America of scholars, exchange of scientific information and ma- and the American Geophysical Union. He served on the terials, scientific investigation of the Pacific Ocean, ani- United States National Committee for the IGY and is mal and plant geography and ecology of the Pacific area, currently a consultant to the President's Science Ad- medical sciences, education in the sciences, and hurricane visory Committee. and typhoon research. The National Science Foundation is coordinating the Cleveland Board Consults Dr. Petterssen scientific interests of the United States in such areas as are jointly approved by the designated groups in both The Greater Cleveland Growth Board recently inter- countries. In this capacity the Foundation is interested viewed two experts concerning present and future water in receiving proposals or expressions of interest from supplies for the Great Lakes area. One of the experts members of the American scientific community who wish was Dr. Sverre Petterssen, chairman of the Department to participate. At the present time, proposals and ex- of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, inter- pressions of interest are particularly desired for scientific nationally known meteorologist and a past president of investigations of the Pacific Ocean and for animal and the American Meteorological Society. The other was plant geography and ecology of the Pacific area. C. V. Youngquist, chief of the Division of Water, Ohio American scientists who desire to participate in these Department of Natural Resources. programs are invited to submit letters of interest to: In his answers to the interviewer's questions, Dr. Pet- terssen brought out that, even taking into consideration U. S.-Japan Cooperative Science Programs the probable doubling of population and trebling of National Science Foundation water consumption by the end of the century, the Great Washington 25, D. C. Lakes area will easily be able to meet the increased de- mands. The region has on tap one-third of the world's Since this program provides a mechanism for joint fresh water supply and receives about 40 inches of annual activity in funding and in physical participation, scien- rainfall. By the end of the century, Dr. Petterssen fore- tists who already have close ties with the Japanese are sees a 1000-mile almost continuous city belt stretching encouraged to correspond with the NSF, if their research from Milwaukee through Buffalo to the Adirondacks. falls within the above areas. Letters should include a The belt will most probably be about 30 miles wide and brief but specific description of the research project; the could eventually contain 300 million people. elements of cooperation with Japan, including wherT pos- Backed by Mr. Youngquist, Dr. Petterssen attested to sible the names of the Japanese scientists involved in the the high quality and easy availability of the Great Lakes project; and any other information that would be helpful water, but noted the need for control of the overall sys- in determining whether or not a detailed proposal should tem to keep pollution from sewerage and industial waste be encouraged. Budget data need not be included at this to a minimum. time. Letters of inquiry will be considered as informal When queried about the total water problem in the correspondence. United States, Dr. Petterssen said: (More NEWS AND NOTES on page 541)

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PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

Space reserved for professional members only. For rates apply to EXECUTIVI SECRETARY, AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, 45 Beacon Street, Boston 8, Massachusetts

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(Continued from NEWS AND NOTES, page 528) for the award both for his own writings—he is author of Science in the Cause of Man and numerous articles— Kalinga Prize Awarded to Gerard Piel and in recognition of the achievements of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, of which he has been head since 1947. In UNESCO announced in May that the international addition to attracting a circulation of over 325,000, the Kalinga Prize of £1000 for the popularization of science magazine has published ten paperback books and some was to be awarded to Gerard Piel, president and pub- 3,500,000 reprints of articles for science teachers. lisher of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. Previous winners of the Kalinga Prize, founded in The Kalinga Prize, awarded by an international jury 1951, were Louis de Broglie (France), Julian Huxley appointed by UNESCO, is a personal donation made by (United Kingdom), Waldemar Kaempffert (United Bijoyanand Patnaik, Indian industrialist and chief States), Augusto di Suner (Venezuela), George Gamov minister of the State of Orissa, and a director of the (United States), Bertrand Russell (United Kingdom), Kalinga Foundation. The foundation is named after an Karl von Frisch (Germany and Austria), Jean Rostand Indian empire ruled by Asoka twenty-two centuries ago. (France), Ritchie Calder (United Kingdom), and Mr. Piel, eleventh winner of the prize, was nominated Arthur C. Clarke (United Kingdom).

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