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More on GPS Detection of Nuke Tests

More on GPS Detection of Nuke Tests

Image by Jihye Park, Ohio State University

In a June 9th blog post, I wrote about the work of researchers at The Ohio State University to use the global positioning system (GPS) to detect covert nuclear tests. Pretty cool stuff.

Well, the researchers, Jihye Park, Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska and adviser Ralph Von Frese have written about their work in a piece for the latest issue of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. It came out of the May 25, 2009 DPRK nuke test, which happened to occur while the researchers were studying ionospheric disturbance. They knew that nuclear tests disturb the ionosphere, so, after the DPRK tested, they wondered if the ionosphere was disturbed to the extent that GPS would pick it up. Turns out, they were right.

Wonder if they picked up the East Coast shaker of yesterday?

 

Author

Jodi Lieberman

Jodi Lieberman is a veteran of the arms control, nonproliferation, nuclear terrorism and nuclear safety trenches, having worked at the Departments of State, Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission. She has also served in an advisory capacity and as professional staff for several members of Congress in both the House and Senate as well as the Senate Homeland Security Committee. Jodi currently spends her time advocating for science issues and funding as the Senior Government Affairs Specialist at the American Physical Society. The views expressed in her posts are her views based on her professional experience but in way should be construed to represent those of her employer.