A lofty idea for atmospheric research
Scientists have hoisted seven instrument packages by kite to an altitude of 3.5 kilometers, where they measured humidity, temperature, pressure, and electric potential in the troposphere above Christmas Island. The appeal of kites to atmospheric scientists is their ability to hover for weeks over a single location, unlike a balloon or airplane. This results in a long-term profile of atmospheric conditions that couldn't be obtained otherwise. However, only a few Pacific islands and the polar regions remain sufficiently jet-free for the long-term, high altitude kite flights. Plans are underway to seek funding for a 4-year series of kite experiments at Christmas Island and Antarctica. One goal is to probe the stratosphere to investigate such issues as the ozone hole and global warming.
- OSTI ID:
- 5830833
- Journal Information:
- Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Vol. 254:5039; ISSN 0036-8075
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
OZONE LAYER
AERIAL MONITORING
STRATOSPHERE
TROPOSPHERE
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
ANTARCTICA
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
HUMIDITY
ISLANDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PACIFIC OCEAN
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
LAYERS
MONITORING
POLAR REGIONS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)