International Geophysical Year

The International Geophysical Year or IGY was an international scientific effort that lasted from July 1, 1957, to December 31, 1958.

Related Topics:
July 1 - 1957 - December 31 - 1958

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The IGY encompassed eleven Earth sciences: aurora and airglow, cosmic rays, geomagnetism, glaciology, gravity, ionospheric physics, longitude and latitude determinations (precision mapping), meteorology, oceanography, seismology and solar activity.

Related Topics:
Earth science - Aurora - Airglow - Cosmic ray - Geomagnetism - Glaciology - Gravity - Ionospheric physics - Longitude - Latitude - Meteorology - Oceanography - Seismology - Solar activity

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Both the U.S. and the Soviet Union launched artificial satellites for this event; the Soviet Union's Sputnik 1 of October 1957 was the first successful artificial satellite. Other significant achievements of the IGY included the discovery of the Van Allen Belts and the discovery of mid-ocean submarine ridges, an important confirmation of plate tectonics.

Related Topics:
U.S. - Soviet Union - Satellite - Sputnik 1 - Van Allen Belt - Plate tectonics

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