Steven Holt: “the first International Geophysical Year was held from July 1957 to December 1958, and this year marks its 50th…”

“the first International Geophysical Year was held from July 1957 to December 1958, and this year marks its 50th anniversary. The International Geophysical Year was modeled after the successful International Polar Year of 1882 and its 50th anniversary in 1932. The International Geophysical Year allowed over 60,000 scientists from 67 countries around the world to take part in a series of coordinated observations of various geophysical phenomena. I remember the International Geophysical Year well because, as a youngster, it was reading about it that sparked my interest in science and set me toward the career in physics which I pursued before coming to Congress. The scientific activities spanned the globe from the North to the South Poles. For example, the research in the Antarctic yielded new estimates of the Earth's total ice content--a number of importance given today's melting of major glaciers due to global warming. In addition, radiation detectors to record cosmic rays, spectroscopes to analyze the aurorae, and balloons were put to use to explore the upper reaches of the atmosphere and the formation of thunderstorms. Finally, post-World War II developments in rocketry made possible the exploration of space, employing the exciting new technology of artificial satellites.”