Balloons in Scientific Research
- During the early 20th century, balloons were an important tool for scientists when they needed to collect data on atmospheric and celestial research. Balloons provided a stable work platform, free from vibrations and electrical interference, something aircraft could not provide. They could also reach a height that reduced atmospheric interference as well. These balloons were especially important in the field of cosmic radiation, when Bruno Rossi, in 1912, used three electroscopes to discover, by accident, powerful cosmic radiation bombarding the earth.
- Standard weather balloons used to monitor conditions in the atmosphere are called Balloon-Borne Sounding Systems, or BBSS. Scientists use these balloons to check temperature, air pressure, humidity, and wind high in the atmosphere because these conditions directly influence weather closer to the ground. Weather balloons filled with helium gas are released from different sites carrying radiosondes, an instrument attached to the balloon to measure various conditions. When the balloon is high enough, low air pressure causes it to burst, and the radiosonde falls back to the ground.
- Recently, weather balloons have been used to track and collect data on hurricanes as they form. Driftsondes are small water bottle-sized capsules that are released from the balloons. These capsules collect data on hurricanes and relay them to satellites. This data is then used to predict hurricane strength and movement more accurately. Each capsule costs about $300 to $400.
- Scientists recently developed the world's thinnest balloon, a one-atom thick membrane that will even stop helium molecules from passing through. This new technology is expected to have a range of possible uses, including applications in sensor and filter technology and to research on the atomic level. The grapheme membrane was developed to test whether it was possible to create a one-atom thick yet chemically stable atomic membrane capable of stopping tiny gas molecules.
- Balloons are now being used to collect data from space. In December of 2007, NASA released three helium balloons to an altitude of 130,000 ft. This was done at the South Pole in Antarctica because the constant daylight helps keep the temperature of the balloons stable and because there's a large cyclone in the stratosphere that keeps the balloons roughly in the same spot. These balloons were used to collect data on cosmic rays and antiprotons and to gather possible clues about antimatter.
