Solar Study as a Phase of Radio Systems Engineering

Theoretical and experimental evidence is presented to show that the ionosphere is controlled either directly or indirectly by the sun. This control is evidenced, not only in the regular variations of the ionosphere, but also during ionospheric storm periods. The shortcomings of the sunspot number as an index of solar activity is pointed out. Also, the necessity for a continuing solar observing program on the part of those seeking to establish a radio propagation prediction service is emphasized. A brief description of the solar observatory, RCA Laboratories Division, Rocky Point, N. Y. is given.