Balloon To Fly 25 Miles Above Earth Planned

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 November 1950, Page 5

Balloon To Fly 25 Miles Above Earth Planned

LONDON, Nov 20 (Reed 6 pm).—A team o£ British scientists headed by the Nobel prize winner, Professor C. F. Powell, of Bristol University, is making the world’s largest balloon to fly to 25 miles above earth from Bristol next spring—the greatest height ever attempted. The balloon will be used to . photograph atomic particles to help scientists study cosmic radiation before it comes into contact with the air layers nearer the earth s surface. The balloon will be 250 feet long and 150 feet in diameter. Attached to the balloon will be several parachutes carrying 72 photographic plates, a radio set to keep the balloon in touch with the ground, and a common alarm clock. The c’ock will be timed to start ringing 25 miles up, .hen the plates will be exposed. The r.lrrm will close the electric circuit to release the parachutes Professor Powell said he did not know what would happen to the balloon, but some j’ates were bound to be recovered. He added: “If we get back a dozen they will contain enough information about the behaviour of atomic pattie'es to keep 50 scientists busy fcr a year examining them," The professor, who is a world-famous atomic expert, will hold a rehearsal flight from Bristol in the next few days with a balloon 130 feet long and 70 feet in diameter.