Thunderstorms and the penetrating radiation

Abstract

Observations are described in which a cloud chamber was used to detect a penetrating radiation apparently produced in thunderclouds. Comparisons are made between the results obtained by Schonland and Viljoen in South Africa, there being a similarity in the magnitude of the effect observed. An analysis of the directions of arrival of the particles shows that the most favoured direction is from the north at a large angle to the direction of the magnetic field of the earth. The results obtained, though not conclusive, encourage a continuation of the experiments.