THE NATURE OF NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS AND THE EARTHS OZONE-LAYER

It has been revealed theoretically that hydrogen self-ignites at a hei ght of 120 km and burns up nearly completely at heights of 165-200 km. Still higher, its concentration Sails off in proportion to pressure b ecause of burning and, therefore, hydrogen does not leave the terrestr ial atmosphere. The water vapor that forms during hydrogen combustion descends and changes, under definite temperature conditions, to very s mall pieces of ice at a. height of similar to 85 km, the number of whi ch is enough to form noctilucent clouds which are easily observable in twilight. Atomic oxygen forms during the same process of hydrogen com bustion. Atomic oxygen combines with molecular oxygen to form ozone. I t is noted that the power of this source of ozone is proportional to t he hydrogen, concentration near the Earth's surface and can be higher than that of all other sources. Apparently, this circumstance will mak e it necessary to develop a new approach to clarify the causes of the appearance of the ozone layer and ozone ''holes.'' The energy released during hydrogen combustion is sufficient to account for the existence of the thermosphere.