S07 → N400
The Spike of Fascinating & Unexpected
SPIKE 49
→ WEATHER BALLOON.
© 1. CNES/Emmanuel Grimault — Airstar Aerospace Stratospheric balloons CNES / 2. CNES / 3. unknown / 4. Garef — Weather balloon Télidat (1986) / 5. Stéphane Hourdez — Polaris mission in Antarctica (http://mission-polaris.over-blog.com/) / 6. Viardot (postal card) — The Observatory, launching of a balloon (Trappes, Yvelines) / 7. Pierre RIGAUD/CNRS Images — Inflation of a main stratospheric balloon for the study of the ozone layer / 8. Philippe Cocquerez/CNES — CONCORDIASI project
named after the CONCORDIA station in Antarctica and the IASI instrument used by MetOp satellite / 9. Progrès /Anne-Marie Jouve — Parc François-Mitterrand / 10. Alain Wicht — One of the weather balloons from MétéoSuisse, to which the minisatellites (in the black tubes) are attached.
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As the weather balloon rises, it expands due to decreasing atmospheric pressure, eventually reaching a point where it bursts or ruptures. Once the balloon bursts, the payload, along with a small parachute, begins to descend back to the Earth’s surface. During descent, the instruments continue to transmit data to ground stations via radio signals. While typical weather balloons ascend to altitudes of around 32 kilometres (20 miles) above the Earth’s surface, specialised research balloons have been known to soar much higher. For instance, in 2017, a team of scientists from NASA and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory launched a balloon called the “Super Pressure Balloon” that reached an incredible altitude of over 33 kilometres (about 21 miles). These high-flying balloons provide valuable data about the Earth’s atmosphere, climate, and weather patterns, helping scientists better understand our planet and improve forecasting models. When equipped with specialised instruments such as radiosondes or transponders, weather balloons can also help locate missing aircraft or ships by tracking their movements and transmitting their coordinates to search teams on the ground. In emergencies, these balloons can be quickly deployed to provide real-time data about weather conditions in remote or inaccessible areas, aiding in the planning and execution of rescue missions.
In the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland, a unique community of enthusiasts has taken to the skies—not with planes, but with their eyes and equipment trained on the heavens. These are the weather balloon hunters, a diverse group of amateur meteorologists, hobbyists, and adventurers united by their passion for tracking and retrieving weather balloons. Weather balloons, launched to collect valuable atmospheric data, often travel great distances before descending back to Earth. In Switzerland, a country known for its rugged alpine terrain and scenic valleys, recovering these high-flying instruments can be both challenging and exhilarating. The hunt typically begins with a careful study of trajectory predictions and wind patterns, allowing enthusiasts to estimate the balloon’s landing zone. Equipped with GPS receivers, maps, and sometimes even drones, these balloon hunters set off on their expeditions. The journey can take them through dense forests, across mountain trails, and into remote areas seldom visited by tourists. When a weather balloon is found, it often bears a payload of sensors and data loggers. The information collected can include temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure readings, which are invaluable for weather forecasting and research. Enthusiasts carefully retrieve these devices and, in many cases, return them to meteorological institutes or share their findings with the scientific community.
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→ Sourced from: SYSTEM 03 (Specteore)
→ Stored online: N400 Spikes Repository
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→ Search log: Google images / Chasseurs de ballons sondes (Suisse)
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