The Uppermost Regions of the Earth's Atmosphere: being the Halley Lecture delivered on 5 May 1926

Abstract

THE publication of Dr. Dobson's Halley lecture is opportune, since it reviews, in such detail as is possible in small compass, the present state of our knowledge of the constitution of the upper atmosphere and of the chief natural phenomena occurring above the isothermal layer. Some of the phenomena, such as those due to the aurora and to meteorites, are directly visible to the eye, while others, such as the occurrence of ozone and the presence of ionised conducting layers, are appreciated by observation with special apparatus. Apart from the relation between radio and ionisation in the upper atmosphere, the public may find some interest in the fact that the natural phenomena occurring in this region are associated with an important shielding action exerted by our atmosphere, since it is the absorption of the medley of electromagnetic waves and radiations of α, β and γ type, as well as uncharged matter derived from the sun and cosmic sources, which is responsible for the effects observed. The more scientific public will welcome the publication as a concise review of the main facts in a field of endeavour to which Dr. Dobson has made extremely important contributions.

The Uppermost Regions of the Earth's Atmosphere: being the Halley Lecture delivered on 5 May 1926.

By G. M. B. Dobson. Pp. 22 + 4 plates. (Oxford: Clarendon Press; London: Oxford University Press, 1926.) 2s. 6d. net.