New-York tribune., 1896-11-15

formula a temperature expression moro accurate
ly representing the mean than the Isolated observa-
tons OF single thermometers at tho upper ana
lower stations
In other words he undertook 10 reverse the
process originally employed. and. instead OF tnd-
ing sound veocues (and hence distances) from
mean temperatures 10 try TO determine tempera-
turcs from the velocity OF sound. and then TO ma
suitable mathematical equation for the guidance
OF those who should in future employ the Same
method The only Instruments employed were
good telescope wherewlth to observe the fash OF an
explosion. and astronomers chronograph whicn
latter works the principle OF stop-watch and
registers time intervals down 10 fractions OF sec
ond The old formula FOR ascertaning velociiies
required one TO multiply the temperature. IN
Fahrenheit degrees hy certain decimal, AGA =
take the square root Of the result. and then multi
ply by the number OF feet iraversed per second AZ
% degrees Fahrenheit In Mr.. Coivn's method the
known distance (Which has been ascer;ained by
trgonometry and Is expressed In ;eeo IL divided ny
the product o, : 0sei q and the number OF seconds
consumed By the sound In raversing the distance
this result Is squared. and from the square -
sub,ractcc: the remainder is divided hy o@-os ana
80 is added The distance employed was aS'i' feet
and IN. time elapsed was 30 seconds Thus a mean
temperature OF 70 degrees Fahrenheit was obtained
superintendent Colvn has personally conducted
experirnents this year from South Base Signal sta
ton AZ Lake Placid. the explosives being fred at
the signal station on the summit o, Nhltt'ace
Mountain at an elevation OF tsl feet above sea
level The chronograph and break-crcuit chronom-
e,er and electrical apparatus used IN these expert
nents were stationed at Lake Placid. II was
found that more delicate apparatus ~ necessary as
readings OF the chronograph must be securrv u, u,
within one two -hundredths OF a sev"hu u oa
time 4 special device IL proposed by "hlch IN. ,lp
OF explosion and the arrival OF The sound s'ai noth
be automatically registered by electrical l-te"phohic
apparatus wires extending from the nring -poht 70
the receiving station. In this way an o9cisoha. !.
test OF the atmosphere. under varying conitlos oi
surface temperature moisture anu nns.v "a - 80,
temperature coeiiicient so greatly needed IN mo
measurement OF mountain heights with the oAFoii1-
. A., ,.o,,-, .x
planned the very interesting work Done IN reatel
~ Calfornia and by Colonel r. S. Williamson. OF
the Corps OF Engineers. L. s. A. whose tables OK
corrections to barOmetrlcally measured heights
ebn tho existence OF serious but intangible error
in such measurements. The interesting e1peIi- pd
mens carried on under the @ rre'9 Da ,Ison ~ The
tinted states Coast and Geodetc Survey. TO ascer-
tain the mean temperature rom n & ~ n,
Professor 5. 7. Langley on Mount hithey % "t,,.n
showed the grave errors In oarofne'rc nypso,,e
II Mr. Covin succeeds In obtaining accurate Sa't1s T
for tho mean rerperature OF the atmosphere by MS
new method some OF these difficulties may be over
-, ,..a.L .. ala
which this new process opens into the physical eX-
orntnafior of the atmosphere balloon may De
sent M with explosives vast height far beyond
nont where man could observe or exist. and from
d a ras'-ad hase-line on the earth's surface. the
s,nn m be,wean the automatic firing OF the explosive
and the arrival OF the sound would give tne "eai nan
temperature Of the atmosphere throueh 'iie on fas
would be first determined by what surveyors can
''triangulation" In this manner possibly asron iro
,ar@ NAV observe the time OF explosion ana dlrec-
,,nn 81 a great meteor In the outer limits OF our
a,mosphere and an idea OF the real mean tenn
ora,,ire scale extending outward Into space thus
benc obtained the real temperature or space itseIf
may be Inferred