Christofilos Effect

The Christofilos Effect refers to the entrapment of charged particles along magnetic lines of force. It was first predicted in 1957 by American amateur scientist Nicholas Christofilos, a salesman for an elevator firm. He sent his calculations to scientists engaged in related research, with little attention being paid to them. When professionals independently produced the same results Christofilos achieved recognition and was welcomed into the University of California.

In late 1958, American scientists tested the Christofilos effect by detonating atomic bombs at a height of three hundred miles, in Project Argus.

The bombs released charged particles which behaved exactly as Christofilos had predicted, being trapped along the lines of force. Those that managed to get far enough within the atmosphere to the north and south set up a small magnetic storm.

References

Source: Asimov's Guide to Science Volume 1 The Physical Sciences