D-region electron concentration profile produced by the July 9, 1962, nuclear detonation

Three possible D-region electron concentration profiles resulting from the July 9, 1962, ‘Starfish’ nuclear detonation are derived, using multiple frequency measurements of the absorption of cosmic radio noise. Two methods of profile determination are used. The first method uses both the classical magnetoionic theory of Appleton and the generalized magnetoionic theory of Sen and Wyler. The second method uses only the classical theory of Appleton. The electron cencentration height profiles obtained by the use of the two methods are then compared. The three profiles are found to differ by a maximum of 50% over the main absorbing region, which is centered about 60 km. A possible future application to the derivation of profiles produced by certain types of sudden ionospheric disturbances is discussed.