Sunday, October 22, 2006
Weather Balloon Launch
I just wrote a post the other day about the hole in the ozone over Antarctica, and yesterday afternoon I was sitting around in my room when my pager went off. The science group that is here studying the ozone paged me to see if I was able to come watch their balloon launch and help out if needed. Luckily, I had all of my ECW laying around, so I threw it all on and ran out the door to meet them just a few buildings down from my dorm. They let me in the side door since you have to have a pass key to get in. We waited inside for the winds to calm below 15 knots, and then we ran out and hopped in the truck. We set up on the sea-ice side of the Waste Water Treatment Plant, but we had to move a little bit when we found a spot that was a little bit less windy. The balloon was unfurled, and the helium hose was brought out. I was given the job of turning on and off the helium (very important... without me, that balloon would still be sitting on the ground). Once the balloon was filled, Jen (Dr. Jen Mercer) attached instruments to the end of the balloon. The instruments begin sending information back to the computer at the lab almost immediately. The balloon's final destination is the stratosphere (5-30 miles above the ground) and the ozone. This link will show you the most recent satellite pictures of the ozone hole (about 2 days behind).Waiting for the wind to get below 15 knots.
Sitting in the back of the pick-up on the way to the launch site. My dorm is the building on the left.
Straightening out the balloon.
First I turned the knob on the right, and then I turned the knob on the left. And then, after the balloon was filled with helium, I turned them both off.
Wiesje (who is Dutch) running the helium gun. The helium flows through the tube and into the balloon.
Tying the balloon.
Close up on the tarp... Dr. Jen Mercer is in the process of tying on the instruments that will collect data on the ozone and ozone hole in the stratosphere.
Wiesje, Jen, and their helper in front of the helium tank labeled "United States Antarctic Program".
All lined up and ready to launch!!
If you click on the photo and then click "All Sizes", you will be able to see a larger version. In the middle of the sky, you will be able to see the weather balloon... it's a shade darker than the rest of the sky.
Back at the lab, the instruments immediately begin sending back information to this computer. It will take the balloon between 2 and 3 hours to reach its ultimate goal: the stratosphere.
A video of the balloon filling with helium
A video of the group lining up in preparation to launch the weather balloon.
Video of the actual launch of the balloon!! Jen is running with the instruments in her hands so that they don't bump on the ground during take-off.
Read or Post a Comment
<< Home