Dec 27 1970
From The Space Library
NASA announced Stanford Univ. scientists were measuring solar wind in 61-million-km (38-million-mi) space between sun-orbiting Pioneer VI (launched Dec. 16, 1965) and Pioneer VIII (launched Dec. 13, 1967). Purpose of experiment was to study influence of solar wind on earth's long-term weather cycles and obtain information on solar workings for particle physics. ARC-managed project would continue until May 1971; spacecraft would hold almost fixed position 100 million km (62 million mi) from earth until that time. Measurements were obtained by determining way radio signals between Stanford's 46-m (150-ft) antenna and Pioneers were slowed by interplanetary electrons. Stanford scientist Dr. Thomas Croft had said measurements were "probably the most accurate ever made of the density of free electrons in the solar wind." (NASA Release 70-217)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
