Tiny Balloons Seek Secrets 12 Miles Up

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 199, 26 August 1935, Page 10

Tiny Balloons Seek Secrets 12 Miles Up

ST. LOUIS, Muy 1.1. Freighted with delicate recording instruments, the lirst of 36 rubber balloons last night soared skyward over the municipal airport here in an attempt to solve the weather secrets of the stratosphere. Released at the rate of one every hour, the balloons arc being sent aloft to gather meteorological data for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, St. Louis was selected us the scene ot the experiment because of its widely varied air currents. “Our results at present will be purely of academic interest, but we hope to correlate stratosphere phenomena with surface weather phenomena,” said Chris liarmantas, research assistant in charge of the experiment here. Inflated to a diameter of four feet, the hydrogen-filled globes will rise to an estimated altitude of 75,000 feet and expand to three times their normal size before bursting. To each balloon is attached an instrument, cushioned in a skeleton framework of burn boo, which records changes in atmospheric pressure, humidity and temperature. Its markings, made on smoked glass, are so minute they must bo read with a’microscope. An identification lug attached to the balloons offers a 5-dollar reward for the safe return of the recording instrument. The balloons rise 600 feet a minute, and float as far as 100 miles from the starting point. “Through this method we are able to chart just what happens when two varying air masses meet,” Air. llarmantas said. “Since it is this interaction that causes storms and other weather phenomena, it is of the utmost importance we gather all the data pos“The stratosphere itself is comparatively calm,” he explained. “Most of tho major weather disturbances take [•lace in the substratosphere level where a majority of the earth’s air is concentrated.” * Of particular interest to lhe scientists is the oscillation of the, tropopause—lhe point at which the stratosphere begins. The stratosphere, Mr. Ilarmantas said, could be compared Io a large body of stagnating air. Contrary to popular belief, ils temperature is nut always colder than lower air levels. “Our experiments have shown us one thing,” he continued, “that is that the stratosphere is higher and colder in warm air and lower and warmer in cold air.” Substitution. The smartest repartee does nbt always come from the side of the clerk, as is shown by this incident related by Harold Skinner in the Bohemian: ‘‘Good morning. Madam,” volui * r ‘‘Good morning.” echoed I

ant looking matron. “Have you some thing choice in real Irish lace " “Well-er-no; but here is something just as good at 75 cents a yard.” “Just as good?” doubtfully/ “Yes, indeed. In fact,” confided he, “superior to the real article. How much do you wish, please?” “Just a yard,” with suspicious slow ness. ‘ ‘ Here’s your money. ’ ’ “But madam,” in confusion, “you have made a mistake. This isn’t money. “No?” agreeably. “Why, no. It’s a matinee ticket.” “So it. is. But it represents 75 cents and while it isn’t actual money, it’s just, as good.” Two Views. Wife: ‘‘lsn’t it wonderful how the waves keep rolling in, George, darling?” Husband: “Yes; they' remind me ot the household bills at home, dear.” Specialist. “Aren't you ashamed of yourself begging?” “Madam—l am not begging—l am a professional coin collector.” Heard at the Bookshop. Man: “Have you got a cook book with a plot in it? I’d like to get my wife interested in a volume of that kind.’?