Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-13

Q Q Q Q . less than ten miles per hour it is necessary to employ captive balloons. To attain great heights small free rub Der balloons of two or three cubic. yards capacity. called pilot balloons. are employed. The instrument car ried by the kites and balloons vary in weight from one and one-half to three or four pounds and record varia-i tions in the temperature, the pressure, the humidity of the air, and the wind velocity.
 The balloons are filled with hydro gen gas in order to secure the great est lifting power. This necessitates the use of special apparatus for the manufacture of hydrogen. At tho Mount Weather Research observatory a strong electric current is passed through water. breaking up the liquid into its constituent elements of hydro gen and oxygen. These gases are then collected and stored in appropriate tanks for future use as occasion may require.
 As the small pilot balloons carry up their instruments to heights of many miles, where the prevailing temperar lures are at all times very low (sone- times exceeding 100 degrees Fahren- heit below zero). it is necessary to test the accuracy of the thermograps at these low points. For this purpose the observatory is equipped with q plant for the manufacture of liquid air., by means of which the instrument may be tested to the lowest points likely to be reached at great elevar tions.
 Tn the near future these small rub ber pilot balloons, carrying with them to elevations of 30,000 to 50,000 feet the light self-recording instruments referred to. will be liberated simulta- neous at 20 to 30 weather bureau sta tions surrounding typical storm cen ters. Observations obtained in this manner at various elevations when compared with the records made at the same time at the surface of the earth will doubtless throw much new light upon the mechanism of storms. cold waves, etc., and give to meteorolo- gists a better understanding of the general circulation of the atmosphere.
 So important to the study of the sun is a continuous record of the magnetic variations that one of the first steps in the establishment of the observa- tory was the installation of a magnetic plant consisting of the best modern instruments for the direct observation and for the continuous registration of the variations in the magnetism of the earth. The standard observatory in struments. both for continuous regis tration and direct measurement, are of the type devised by Wild for the model magnetic observatory at Paylovsl. Russia. These are supplemented by a' set of Eschenhagen magnetographs. !. the extreme sensitiveness of which, peculiarly fits them for recording, minute fluctuations of the earth's mas-l netic force.
 The principal application of the re- suits of the observations will be to supplement the direct observations of the sun. and thus to carry on the rec-l ord of the solar activity continuously day and night in all conditions of weather. Researches will also be car- ried on to determine the existence andi' measure the extent of probable directE relations between meteorological dis turbances and magnetic variations. The magnetic records will also be spe-l cially studied in conjunction with thsI results of observations of the radioac- tivity and the electrical condition of the afr.
 The physical laboratory is not yet completed. and consequently it has not been possible to undertake inyestiga~ tions here in experimental physics. However. through the kindness of the authorities of the University of virs ginia a good deal of spectroscopic work has been done at that institution Some of the results have been pub lished in the Astrophysicai Journal. and there are many data yet on hand to be worked up at the earliest oppor- tunity. An investigation. by the aid of a large telescope. of the causes and meteorological relations of the scintll- lation Of starr is in progress st the University of Virginia along lines sus- gested by one of the Mount Weather officials. A special photomefsr has been devised for the purpose of meas uring the relative densities of clouds. particularly when the entire sky is covered As soon as the lsboratory ix completed and equipped inrestisztions will bs begun on atmospheric electric ity. It's origin. distrfbztson. and iaxs.l the causes and nature of prscipitatzcn~ heat and light absorptiou. and c<he< physical phenomena of tuportanns so' the meteorologist \
 WILLIE E No'onE
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