2. The History / Inventor The first observation balloon was launched immediately before the first manned balloon flight. This was by Frenchmen Jean-François de Rozier and the Marquis d'Aalandes on November 21, 1783. They used it as a pre-flight to the manned balloon flight in order to get a wind reading. Later, a French meteorologist Leon Teisserenc de Bort open up the use of weather balloons, showing their usefulness. He was able to determine the existence of the troposphere, the level where weather takes place, using data he received from his balloon.
3. What is it Used For? It is used in the measurement , forecasting, and evaluation of mostly the upper atmospheric conditions. Its primary purpose is to collect data about the atmospheric weather conditions. It provides valuable input on computer forecast models, local data for meteorologists, and data for research. The Radiosonde, an instrument brought up on the balloon, collects data like the temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, and pressure and altitude of the atmosphere.
4. The Radiosonde It is the instrument carried on the balloon that is used for all the measurements. It is carried below the weather balloon and is equipped with a parachute which is used in its decent to keep it from hurdling back to earth and harming people or property. A transmitter on the radiosonde sends the data that the radiosonde collects back to tracking equipment on the ground every one to two seconds.
5. How it Works The tear-shaped balloon is launched twice daily at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in over 900 locations worldwide. It carries an instrument known as the Radiosonde to altitudes of above 90,000 feet, expanding as it ascends. The instrument collects information while it is in the atmosphere. Then, when it reaches a point where it can no longer expand, at about 20 feet in diameter, the balloon bursts and the equipment inside it brought back to earth on a parachute. The whole flight of the balloon lasts about 2 hours.
6. What Goes Up in a Launch? Balloon Small Battery- powers the Radiosonde Radiosonde- it collects and transmits weather data during the ascent through the atmosphere Orange Parachute- opens when the balloon bursts to carry down Radiosonde at speeds less than 22mph Special Plastic Bag (mailing bag and instructions on what to do if you find it)- enclosed in Radiosonde so that the person who finds it can send it back to the scientists. About 20% of radiosondes that are launched are found and reused, these are than fixed and reused Light Stick- attached on nighttime launches so that meteorologist can track the equipment until they lock it with radio signal
7. Preparing for a Launching Before it is launched a certain amount of the gas, the amount controls the rate of ascent, that inflates the balloon is put inside the balloon so that it is about 6 feet in diameter. Meteorological Technicians perform the inflation way before the launch to check for possible leaks. A small battery is also soaked in water before the launch to provide power to the Radiosonde. String is used to tie off the balloons nozzle and it is also tied to the parachute and radiosonde.
8. What it Looks Like The balloon looks like it is made from, latex or synthetic rubber. The balloon nozzle is attached with string to an orange parachute and to the radiosonde. The radiosonde looks like a white cardboard box and has a transmitter, a temperature sensor, and a relative humidity sensor on the outside and a pressure sensor on the inside.
9. How it is Made Weather balloons are typically made of a special, latex balloon or synthetic rubber (neoprene) and it is either filled with hydrogen gas or helium. Features it has to stand the conditions: Uniform wall thickness to prevent premature blowouts Ozone resistant Reinforced necks allow it to stand strong winds without tearing. These weather balloons can endure extreme temperatures, air pressure, and weather.
10. Different Types Pilot Balloon- a small balloon that is watched as it ascents as to obtain data for the calculation of the speed and direction of winds at different altitudes. Ceiling Balloon- an even smaller balloon that is used to determine the altitude of cloud bases Teardrop-shaped Balloon- carries a radiosonde with it and as it ascends it expands, allowing it to reach at least 90,000 feet before it bursts; it is also used for horizontal sounding of the atmosphere
11. Works Cited infoplease.com examiner.com ehow.com wrh.noaa.gov enotes.com ultimatechase.com learner.org balloons-china.com weatherjackwilliams.com wikispaces.com about.com missouri.edu Check out this site for a cool video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co7ikDXklkg
