Evening star., 1948-02-22
Rome Expert Reports
0nMefeorologieaI and
Radiation Findings
By Herries CInhY Peterson

NuaiVSsVu HNIhyS
BY Herries cIiehy Peterson
kenns Expedition Physicist
RONNE ANTARCTIC ExPED1-
TION BASE, STONINGTON IS
LAND, Feb. II Delayed (NANA) i.
-Furthering scientific knowledge Of
this relatively unknown continent
In such fields as geology, seisn1ology,
tidal recordings and magnetic OBJ
servations has been an important
aim OF the Rome Antarctic Re-
search Expedition during the past
year. My own theory in this pro-
gram has included study Of solar
radiation, rneteorology, cosnaic radia-
ton and atmospheric refraction.
The way In which the sun moves
through the heavens is the most
striking difference between the
polar and temperate zones. Day and
night become the seasons. The sun
being down continuously, Antarctic
winter Is like long night with stars
always visible except for clouds.
Summer Is q season of perpetual
daylight. Only for a short time
during spring and fall do we have
day and night together in q a.
hour period.
During winter the continent re-
eeives no heat from the heavens and
accumulates cold. In summertime,
however, the SUMS radiations warm
the air and that warmth Is absorbed
by the ground. We are exposed to
more solar radiation per 24-hour day
in December and January-the mid
die of our summer-than is the
equator. The air and snow absorb
little heat, but dark clouds or q per-
sons skin becomes comfortably
warm.
Radiation Investigated.
Anarctic summertime solar radia-
ton is under careful investigation
by this expedition. The intensity of
the SUMS rays is measured by a deli
cate detector called . pyrheliometer,
about the size of q 1o0-watt lamp
bulb. Mounted outside with good
exposure to the sun, the pyrhelio-
meter Is connected by q long cable
to q continouk electrical recorder
inside the science building, thus CIV
ing us o complete record OF how
much heat arrives at our base from
the sun.
We've found out, for example, that
solar radiation here is weakened less
by clouds than would be expected,
for the cold Antarctic atmosphere
holds little moisture to block the
suns rays. Such records help give
US valuable new information about
the climate OF the region. Also under
investigation Is the: effect of solar
radiation on fog. dissipation.
The meteorological is the largest
Of the expeditions scientific pro-
grams. We have four aims: :
Prompt radioing . Of current
weather data to the central offlce
OF the United States Weather
Bureau in Washington, D. c.. for
analysis and dissemination to South
American countries Influenced by
Antarctic weather conditions;
Compilation Of weather data over
o full years stay in Antarctica to
give better pictures of the climate
Of the South Polar region;
Close observation of regional
weather to assist the expeditions
aviation program;
Careful study Of weather phenom-
ena peculiar to the Antarctic con-
tinent for research In the physics Of
meteorolosy.
Observations Made Daily.
We. began work on the voyage
southwark aS soon aS the necessary
instruments could be unpacked and
set UP. Twice daily, complete
weather observations were made on
board ship, from the Equator to Our
Antarctic base, and promptly ra-
diced to the United States Weather
Bureau.
Establishment Of the base weather
station was a difncult Job that had
to be done during the peak OF ur1-
loading. The thermometer mast
and electric wind vane had to be
erected on q good exposure and
the connecting cable run to the
science building so that wind in
dications could be obtained inside.
An instrument shelter had to be
firmly fastened down to resist winds
without undue shaking. Brightly
colored sticks marked off in inches
were embedded in the snow to give
daily indications OF changes IN the
depth of the snow due to precipita-
ton, evaporation and wind erosion.
An electric humidity indicator,
specially designed for cold-cfimate
operating by the University OF Chi
easo, had. to be wired up and ptped
for carbon dioxide gas. The ba-
rometer had to be checked carefully
and recording instruments delicately
adjusted for operation. Once space
had TO be prepared. More than two
tons of helium in tanks was dragged
ashore over the bay Ice for initiating
meteorological balloons. The result
was establishment Of o first-class
meteorological station from which
extensive weather observations were
radioed to the United States on reg
ular daily schedules.
Outposts Established.
Soon after the base station was
established, we realized the desir-
ability Of weather observations from
dog-team parties and outposts. Re
suits were very good and reflected
the earnest and often arduous ef-
forts Of trail men to make their ex-
plorations as fruitful as possible.
Reports OF pressure, temperature,
wind and sky were made every day
away from base by the two major
trail parties, one sledging over Mar
suerite Bay, the other sledging
along the Weddell Sea-Palmer Land
coast south to latitude rs.
Our location on the windward side
OF mile-high Palmer peninsula and
our extensive aviation operations on
the leeward side over the Weddell
Sea coast required thorough
knowledge of how this plateau af-
fected weather moving over it.. For
this, a two-man weather observa-