Atmospheric science students have been busy launching balloons throughout the semester, and they aren’t the typical ones you would find at your local party store.
These special weather balloons have sensors that measure things like humidity, wind speed, and temperature at every vertical level of the atmosphere.
“We did two launches on Groundhog’s Day,” said sophomore Jimmy Bielli. “The second launch showed the layer of warmer air over the layer of colder air at the surface. For weather geeks it’s kind of cool to see that.”
A team of trained students run the weather balloon launches. Three members of the team will focus on filling the balloon with helium to 400 PSI (pounds per square inch), while another sets up a computer station that records the results. Once the balloon is filled a radiosonde sensor is brought out so it can adjust to the outside air. When the radiosonde is adjusted and ready to go it is attached to the balloon and the balloon is released.
The team members will head inside to watch the results after the balloon begins its ascent.
The computer station will record the results as long as it maintains connection with the sensor. Data may come in and out, but the team tries its best to get the information they need. The data from the launch helps the team see what’s going on in levels of the atmosphere that are almost impossible to observe directly from the ground.
The balloon eventually pops and sends the sensor back to ground where it may be found and re-used. The sensor is rarely found because it usually falls into the ocean or some other deserted location and the general public doesn’t really know what they are or what to do with them.
Though the information is valuable, the cost of a balloon launch is over $500. Launches are generally held during storms and special weather events, though sometimes launches are held for those who are interested in how it works.