A scientific visit to the USSR in 1963

Abstract

In 1963, at the height of the Cold War, R. W. Stewart visited the Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Moscow for three months, including a side trip to a field station on the River Don. The visit followed on from discussions at scientific meetings on the topic of turbulence in fluid flows. Major theoretical advances had been made in the USSR, while Stewart's group in Canada had conducted a key observational programme in turbulent tidal currents off the coast of British Columbia. During his visit, Stewart was able to show how some Soviet observations were in accord with others after correction for instrument size and, most importantly, with Evgeny Novikov he pioneered a new approach to the theory of turbulence to allow for intermittency. His report contains observations of the style of science in the USSR in that era, as well as interesting comments on food and culture. The visit produced lasting dividends in scientific collaboration, particularly in international programmes related to climate.