Evening star., 1951-01-03
Ghost Clouds Reported
so Miles Above Earth
Bouncing Of Radio Waves
Explained by Phenomena
By Thomas R. Henry

Strange ghost clouds drift invisibly
through the almost non existent atmos-
phere about so miles over the earth's
surface.
Their existence has been confirmed by
Carnegie Institution of Washington
scientists. Observations by these men
explain for the first time bouncing
phenomena of radio waves which some
times make possible transmission Of
more than 1900 miles with equipment =
which ordinarily would function for
only few miles.
At an altitude of approximately so
miles there is the lowest electrical
roof" Of the atmosphere, the E layer.
1t Is q region where the atoms of the
thin atmosphere are Ionized' by SUM-
light. Some of their outer electrons are
stripped away and an electrical condi-
ton set up which bounces radio waves
back to earth. This makes radio trans
mission possible. Otherwise, the waves
would move directly outward into space
instead Of following the curvature of the
earth.
Drift N0rthwesterly.
The newly found clouds are clouds
of stripped atoms or ions. Within them
these ions are much more dense than in
the layer in general. They appear to
be drifting in q northwesterly direction
at a speed of about so miles an hour.
They are of various sizes, but usually
much less than 100 miles in radius.
The discovery throws new light on O
phenomenon previously reported by Car
negie observers-the zion sunrise A
notable change in the behavior Of radio
waves occurs just before observable sun
rise. There are, however, notable
changes in the time of this ghost
sunrise at locations only a few miles
apart.
This can be explained, the Carnegie
report points out, by assuming that the
incoming rays Of the sun strike one
Of these new-found clouds in the high
atmosphere.
Ruins of another ancient Indian city
IN Yucatan are being excavated by ar
cheologists Of the Carnegie Institution Of
Washington.
It is Mayapan. probably the most
densely populated center in the Maya
empire. Already, fragmentary remains Of
about $500 buildings in an area of about
three square miles have been found, and
many others doubtless have disappeared
without any trace. according to report
recently issued by the institution.
The entire city OF ruins is surrounded
by roughly oval wall in which ancient
gateways are to be found at intervals.
Among the buildings were one large
pyramid, many closely spaced colonnades,
small pyramids and three round towers.
Supposedly, the city was a religious and
cultural center. It is unlikely that any of
the ruins thus far located were individ-
ual dwelling houses. These usually were
OF very fimsy construction and soon
disappeared after city was abandoned.
Great Wall Around City.
Existence of the great wall around the
city is real advantage to the excavators.
Quick surveys have shown that there
are almost no traces of habitation be-
yond this wall
The present work consists of making
a detailed map of the old city.
Mayapan, according to the report, diff
fers strikingly from other Yucatan cities
Of Maya days, from the abundance Of
small structures with floors averaging
about so yards square. These obviously
were not intended as churches or govern
n1ent offices and probably were dwelling
places OF the more prosperous inhabitants.
Some of these smaller ruins apparently
were much more elaborately built, better
terraced and in choicer locations than
the majority. This indicates that the old
city had its rich and poor neighborhoods.