Balloons and Kites in the Service of Meteorology

Abstract

DURING recent years a considerable amount of information has been accumulated about the conditions which prevail in the higher strata of the atmosphere. Although observations of temperature and humidity were made by Glaisher from a free balloon more than fifty years ago, and later Mr. Archibald used kites to determine the change of wind velocity with elevation, it is only in the last ten years that a systematic attempt has been inaugurated to obtain information. There is now a fair amount of observational material awaiting someone with the necessary skill and leisure to work it up, and it is much to be hoped that the task may be taken in hand shortly, so that the results obtained in various countries and by various organisations or individuals may be arranged and coordinated, in order that further inquiry may be pushed along the most promising lines.