The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-11
THE EARTH,s ATMOSPHERIC.
Attitudes at Which Temperature Is
Probably 1,5OO Degrees Below Zero.

Probably 1,5OO Degrees Below Zero.
Rocifester Union and Advertiser.
One OF the balloons sent up from the
linion office yesterday ascended to a con-
sjderable height and was then blown to-
ward the southwest by the wind 1t at
g sfaf .Ieme 8 s whn w Seaa vi %at a5aHnsiG Il SAIL anu away way
got into a discussion involving the question
o. the height above the earth's surface at
and the temperature and conditions OF the
atmosphere at different attitudes. a re-
porter overheard the discussion and this
morning asked Weather Observer White
for information on the subject. Mr.. White
gave an exhaustive talk on the temper
atlre and the pressure of the air at differ
ent heights, during which he said. In part:
The air which we breathe and which
envelopes this whole earth is composed of
vapor pressure from 100 per cent. to one
tenth Of per cent, This air is held upon
the earth's surface by the attraction of the
revolution upon its own axis is to throw
Of the earth for ali I particles { Of LIQUIDS,
gases or solids decreases the attractive
points within a distance of $1,000 miles of
the earths center. Consequently that point
is where the centrifugal force equals the
to exist. Beyond that point there is an
absolute void, with the exception of ozone
where all matter is absent. What the tenn
perature of TINS space is is a matter of
doubt. There is no motion there.
About two hundred miles above the earth
we find actual appreciable air, which can be
measured with the 1t contains
all the ingredients of the air at the earth's
surface. There is very little motion at this
height. The temperature is exceedingly
low, being probably about 1.5o0 degrees be-
low zero. At twenty miles above the earth's
surface we find a different quantity of air,
which can be more easily measured by a
has a perceptible motion, chiefly
due to radiation, and contains animalculae,
vegetable matter and mineral matter. The
temperature is very low, probably 600 de-
grees below zero.
AT ten miles above the earth's surface
the air has actually been measured in guam
tity, quality. vegetable. mineral and animal
matter. Here motion is very perceptible,
there being more there than at the earth's
surface. 1t is continually moving from the
west. Professor Hazen. of the Weather Bu-
reaJ. sent UP a balloon several months ago
made of goldbeater's skin, equipped with a
Paragraph therHlograph, and a sunshine re-
corder. The temperature was found to be
2o6 degrees below zero, and the barometric
pressure correspondent exactly with what it
should be at ten miles above the earth's
surface.
AT seven miles above the earth's surface
we have air in all respects. SO far as chemi-
cal combinations are concerned, and with
at the earth's surface. Glashier, the ia
nous aeronaut, assembled in a balloon to
this heigth, and when about 1900 feet be-
low 1t began to be unconscious, but re-
tanned self-possession long enough to pull
the Unbelievable, exhaust the aid and drop
until he regained consciousness. The dog
that accompanied him never recovered.
The temperature shown by Cashiers
thermograph was 125 degrees below zero.
A these attitudes the temDeratnra Us al-
ways the same, whereas at the earth's sur
face 1t is constantly changing. This is due
to the topography of the country latitude,
and more especially to the advance of cy-
clonic and anti-cyclonic areas.
From the experience of Glashier 1T will
be seen that a person can ascend nearly
seven miles above the earth's surface with
out losing consciousness or seriously endan-
gering his life"