New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-15
TO HELP METEOROL0GY.
K;te Flying Experiment 10 Be
Made IN Mann Lands.

Hyde PART. Mass july 14.-Blue Hill OBJ
servatOry, the pioneer American institution for
the study of meteorology. will be the scene next
week. of the most extensive kite flying expert
ments ever conducted in America. The expert
ments viii Toe made simultaneously, and in con-
junction with similar flights. either by kites or
balloons at more than twenty other stations
throughout the world. The phenomena of the
upper air viii be studied. and especial attention
given to cloud movements. The object of the
experiments is TO make meteorology an exact
science. and To formulate rules if possible. that
will permit the forecasting of the weather with
as much certainty and accuracy as the forecast
ing Of astronomical events.
The experiments at Blue Hill VIII be under
the personal direction OF Abbott Lawrence
Rotch. wealthy Boston man who founded the
observatory some twenty years ago, and who
has since maintained il at his own personal
expense. MI. Rotch is q member of the French
Legion Of Honor. and has been decorated by the
German Emperor with the Order Of the Crown
for his achievements in the science Of meteor
ology. The experiments here will he held i'm con-
junction with similar observations throughout
Europe and Asia. while some of the observers
will be the ocean in different parts of the
world. The observations viii begin the
morning Of Monday. lilly 22. and viii continue
until Saturday night July p. The work
throughout the world is done under the auspices
Of the International Commission for Scientific
Aeronautics with headquarters at Strasburs.
Germany.
The results of the observations will be tabulated
and Strasburg for comparison. The
parsons viii be under the direction Of Professor
H Hergese!l. Of Strasburg. who is president IF the
International commission.
Al only American observatory outside Of
Blue Hill. will observations be taken The United
States Weather Bureau observatory At Bluemont,
Va established about year ago for meteorological
work, will take part in the experiments. Amopg
the other stations where observations will be made
Trappes and Paris in France. ONhOtt in Eng
land. (suadalaiaFa SpafD- n
land Strasburg. Hamburg and Lindenhurg. IN
Germany; Sir!a in India: Munich in Bavaria and
warsaw. in Russia. In addition, the Prince of
Monaco viii send balloons TO very high alti-
tldes. the German steamer Zieten will investigate
high atmospherical conditions at sea between Ice
land and Norway and also in the latitude Of the
Ilebrides. The French navy IS sending a ship 10
tho Azores for similar work. while the yacht
ClaIla' owned Jointly by Nj Rotch and Tesserene
de Bort. q French scientist will investigate the
Eions Of the trade winds and doldrums. The OBJ
servations each of these scattered stations will
the wind, the temperature, the humidity and the
atmospheric pressure The last is rbe lost IN,
por1Gnt and IS useful only so far il determines
the altitude at which the observations are made
AL Of the observations taken al Blue Hi VIII be
by means Of an instrument known the meteoro-
graph which VIII be attached 10 the first Of series
Of kites. As Blue Hin is near the sea. balloons
cannot be sent up from that summit. experiments
1aE-hB SHOWN mat al hiSh attitudes N this region
westerly winds prevail. thus driving the balloons
cut TO whore they and their attached recording
instruments become lost Therefore at this point
only kites can ne used
The meteorograph Is an ingenious contrivance.
, constructed Of aluminium and weighing only TWO
pounds. Il is rectangular in shape and contains a
cylinder operated by clockwork. which makes one
complete revolution every twelve hours. Fountain
pens attached TO levers connecting with the in
st:uments that determine the wind velocity humid
l'F temperature and atmospheric pressure and the
pens record the observations on a chart that
circles the revolving cylinder.
liow high the kites viii be will depend en-
tiey on the condition Of the weather At Blue FIiI
fights have been made as nigh as three and a half
miles into the upper air. while the average flight
Is about a mile and = half During the coming ex-
PeIihlelts II IS hoped 10 exceed The average and
perhaps equal the xmur flights
The kites are imnenFe affairs OF the box pattern
iney vary slightly in size but exert 50 tremendous
pulling force that in high wind they viii easily
III one hundred pounds. and at ali times they are
wound II with "a steam windlasS. Piano wire Is
used for the kite Irvine"
Mr Rotch and the entire Blue I'M staff are mani
resting much interest In next weeks observat ions
4iIn Hes confidently expect that the concerted &C
Ton On the part q the worlds meteor nIorfss will
result ~ great enrichment Of the science