What they're used for
Weather balloons carry weather instruments that can reach the upper atmosphere, provide precise measurements of meteorological elements such as temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction. These measurements provide vital information which enhance our understanding of the climate.
Data collected from weather balloons can be used to learn about current weather conditions, and help meteorologists to make weather forecast. They can also be used for other research purposes.
How they work
Weather balloons carry instruments called 'radiosondes': small, expendable instrument packages (weighing 200-500 grams) suspended below the weather balloon. The balloon itself is inflated with hydrogen gas.
As the weather balloon rises at around 300 m per minute, sensors on the radiosonde constantly transmit atmospheric observations and GPS position data to receiving equipment on board RV Investigator.
A typical weather balloon time of data collection (called a 'sounding') can last for two hours or more.
VIDEO: Weather radar on RV Investigator
What they're used for
Weather balloons carry weather instruments that can reach the upper atmosphere, provide precise measurements of meteorological elements such as temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction. These measurements provide vital information which enhance our understanding of the climate.
Data collected from weather balloons can be used to learn about current weather conditions, and help meteorologists to make weather forecast. They can also be used for other research purposes.
How they work
Weather balloons carry instruments called 'radiosondes': small, expendable instrument packages (weighing 200-500 grams) suspended below the weather balloon. The balloon itself is inflated with hydrogen gas.
As the weather balloon rises at around 300 m per minute, sensors on the radiosonde constantly transmit atmospheric observations and GPS position data to receiving equipment on board RV Investigator.
A typical weather balloon time of data collection (called a 'sounding') can last for two hours or more.