Science: Polar Meteors

Incandescent streaks in the night sky which scientists call meteors are caused by atmospheric friction against bits of matter, some as small as peas, falling from outer space. It has been night for two and a half months at Little America, base camp of the second Byrd Antarctic Expedition, and sometimes the air is extraordinarily clear. At such favorable times Dr. Thomas Charles Poulter, on leave from Iowa Wesleyan College, has had a crew of men recording meteors. Four men sit hour after hour inside a glass dome mounted in the roof of a...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!