 |
|
High-Flying Balloons Begin Tracking Emerging Hurricanes
September 01, 2006BOULDER-In a unique collaboration, U.S. and French researchers are launching large, specialized balloons into the stratosphere to drop nearly 300 instrument packages over wide swaths of Africa and the Atlantic Ocean. The packages, designed by scientists and technicians at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), will gather detailed data over the next month from critical regions of the atmosphere where some of the most dangerous U.S. hurricanes develop.
The first launch of a balloon with its gondola and instrument package-which are together known as a driftsonde-took place at Zinder, Niger, on August 28. Up to seven more driftsondes will be released from Zinder through late September, coinciding with the peak period for hurricane formation over the tropical Atlantic.
The eastern tropical Atlantic is out of range for U.S. hurricane-hunter aircraft, and forecasters have little skill at predicting which of the systems there will develop into hurricanes. Data from the driftsondes should help better characterize the conditions that either foster or suppress hurricane formation. Although scientists have tested driftsondes over the last few years, this is the first time they have used them in weather research and prediction.
After being launched from Niger, each balloon will drift from Africa toward the Caribbean at heights of around 65,000-70,000 feet, where light easterly winds prevail. Twice per day, each gondola will release an instrument known as a dropsonde that falls by parachute, sensing the weather conditions during its 20-minute descent and radioing data back to the gondola and then, by satellite, to the researchers. Scientists will control the process from an operations center in Paris. If a promising weather system develops, they can signal the gondola to release additional dropsondes as often as once per hour.
Monitoring the seeds of hurricanes
After being launched from Niger, each balloon will drift from Africa toward the Caribbean at heights of around 65,000-70,000 feet, where light easterly winds prevail. Twice per day, each gondola will release an instrument known as a dropsonde that falls by parachute, sensing the weather conditions during its 20-minute descent and radioing data back to the gondola and then, by satellite, to the researchers. Scientists will control the process from an operations center in Paris. If a promising weather system develops, they can signal the gondola to release additional dropsondes as often as once per hour.
Monitoring the seeds of hurricanes
Balloons Current Events and Balloons News RSSNo quick or easy technological fix for climate change, researchers say
Global warming, some have argued, can be reversed with a large-scale "geoengineering" fix, such as having a giant blimp spray liquefied sulfur dioxide in the stratosphere or building tens of millions of chemical filter systems in the atmosphere to filter out carbon dioxide.
NRL's P-3 aircraft support project to study tropical cyclones
The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has been hunting for tropical cyclones as part of a multi-national study to understand, observe, and predict the potential impacts of Pacific tropical cyclones.
Study identifies double-balloon enteroscopy as cost-effective approach for obscure GI bleeding
A cost-effectiveness analysis conducted by researchers at Stanford University Hospital in Calif., shows that an initial double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a cost-effective approach for patients with obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
Study reports Double Balloon Endoscopy useful for diagnosis and treatment of obscure GI bleeding
A study by researchers in Japan concludes that Double Balloon Endoscopy (DBE) was very useful in the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and had a therapeutic impact on the majority of patients.
Study shows safety and efficacy of blood flow reversal system used during carotid stenting
Results of a study on an embolic protection system during carotid stenting that uses a novel blood flow reversal system was reported today during the 20th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF).
New devices used to reduce arterial occlusions, provide cardiac support, highlighted at TCT 2008
Research results highlighting three new devices used to reduce blockages in peripheral and coronary arteries and to provide cardiac support will be presented at the 20th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF).
Up, Up and Away: Studying Volcanoes With Balloon
People do all kinds of crazy things in Hawaii, but flying balloons over a volcano usually isn't one of them. Unless you're Adam Durant, that is.
Changing jet streams may alter paths of storms and hurricanes
The Earth's jet streams, the high-altitude bands of fast winds that strongly influence the paths of storms and other weather systems, are shifting-possibly in response to global warming.
NOAA Aircraft to Probe Arctic Pollution
NOAA scientists are now flying through springtime Arctic pollution to find out why the region is warming - and summertime sea ice is melting - faster than predicted. Some 35 NOAA researchers are gathering with government and university colleagues in Fairbanks, Alaska, to conduct the study through April 23.
Improved foam for varicose veins found to be safe in preliminary results from phase II trial
A small group of patients with a common heart defect who were treated for varicose veins with an injectable microfoam experienced no neurological, visual or cardiac changes as a result of the treatment, according to preliminary results from a phase II trial.
More Balloons Current Events and Balloons News Articles
 | The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois Professor William Waterman Sherman intends to fly across the Pacific Ocean. But through a twist of fate, he lands on Krakatoa, and discovers a world of unimaginable wealth, eccentric inhabitants, and incredible balloon inventions. Winner of the 1948 Newbery Medal, this classic fantasy-adventure is now available in a handsome new edition. "William Pne du Bois combines his rich imagination,... |
 | The Red Balloon (Oberon Book) by Albert Lamorisse An enduring children's classic. The story of a young boy and his best friend, a red balloon. The balloon follows the boy everywhere. A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the... |
 | Where Do Balloons Go? An Uplifting Mystery by Jamie Lee Curtis Haven't you ever wondered ...Where do balloons gowhen you let them go free?It can happen by accident.It happened to me. Do they tango with airplanes?Or cha-cha with birds?Can plain balloons readballoons printed with words?When one little boy accidentally lets go of his balloon, his imagination takes him on its journey. Jamie Lee Curtis's gentle and humorous exploration of the joys and perils of a... |
 | Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon While on vacation, George and the man with the yellow hat stop to see Mt. Rushmore. There's no time to take a helicopter ride for a close-up view - the hot air balloon races are about to start! Whisked up and away at the races, a surprised George gets a close-up view of the presidents after all. The adventures of Curious George continue in an all-new series beginning in fall 1998 with eight new... |
 | Extreme Balloon Tying: More Than 40 Over-the-Top Projects by Shar Levine, Michael Ouchi Here are more crafty twists and turns from the authors of the popular Ultimate Balloon Book--but this time, they're going way over the top with creativity. These balloon sculptures use new techniques like the roll lock and the starburst, and they're a little more complicated to yield awesome results. But don't worry: each step is so well illustrated and captured in such detail that you won't have... |
 | The Ultimate Balloon Book & Kit by Shar Levine, Michael Ouchi Any time is party time with this kit on hand! It has everything needed to make simple, fun, and bright balloon art. First, there’s The Ultimate Balloon Book with easy, illustrated techniques for 12 marvelous projects that will delight old and young alike; 24 balloons in six cheery colors; and one nifty pump. In just a few quick moves, create a dachshund, stegosaurus, dragonfly, tropical palm... |
 | You Can't Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum (Picture Puffin) by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman While she's in the Metropolitan Museum with her grandmother, a little girl leaves her prized yellow balloon tied to a railing outside. But its string becomes untied, and the balloon embarks on an uproarious journey through New York City. With an ever-increasing cast of wacky urban characters in tow, it soars past a host of landmarks. Eighteen famous paintings and sculptures are reproduced in this... |
 | Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm by Jerdine Nolen Harvey Potter was a very strange fellow indeed. He was a farmer but not like any farmer you've ever met. He didn't grow corn, okra, or tomatoes. Harvey Potter grew balloons. No one knew exactly how he did it, but with the help of the light of a full moon, one friendly child catches a peek of just how Harvey Potter does it. And keeps some magic for herself."This is the best sort of fantasy ... |
 | How to Blow Up Animals: A Beginner's Guide to Fun With Balloons by Lon Cerel Lon Cerel, the "world's fastest balloon animal maker," has written a how-to for all of us who wish we could make poodles, elephants, and such out of balloons the way Lon and some of his fellow artists do. Here, in a highly-illustrated book that captures the fun of Cerel's standup comedy-with-magic-and-ballooning act, are step-by-step instructions covering everything from how to correctly... |
 | Thomas & Friends: James and the Red Balloon and Other Thomas the Tank Engine Stories (Pictureback(R)) by W. Rev Awdry Straight from the latest Thomas video comes three delightful new tales from the Island of Sodor. Thomas fans will laugh when James gets carried away about a balloon, Harvey rescues Percy, and Thomas becomes a jet engine! Filled with gentle humor and lots of photo... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |