LOW TEMPERATURE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 193, 29 May 1934, Page 8

LOW TEMPERATURE

RESEARCH BALLOON RECORD.

HEIGHT OF SEVEN MILES

(Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, May 28

A balloon found by Maoris in a ponga tree! near Taumarunui was one of two sent up from the Government Meteorological 'Station, Wellington, on Saturday. Fourteen of these balloons, known as Radio-Sondes, which are intended for exploration of the strathosphere. were supplied to the Ellsworth Antarctic expedition by the International Polar Year Commission. When the Ellsworth expedition unhappily came" to an end its Norwegian meteorologist (Mr J. Holmboe), was authorised by the Commission to hand the balloon to the observatory at Kelburn for use. Mr Holmboe, while awaiting the return of the explorer, has been carrying-out research work at the observatory and has sent up ten of the balloons. The instrument boxes attached to the balloons are marvels of ingenuity. They record the height to which they ascend, barometer pressures and temperature in the upper air. Radio transmitters send signals, which interpreted by the observatory staff, tell the whole story. The second balloon sent up on Saturday is believed to have been blown out to sea, It is known that it attained a height of seven miles, and it is known, too, from its radio signals, that the temperature up there was minus 70 degrees Centigrade, or about 108 degrees below freezing point.