Probing the Ozone Hole
Spring is the time to watch the ozone hole form every year. In a matter of
days to weeks, the juxtaposition of frigid stratospheric air, chlorine
monoxide and sunlight destroys the majority of the ozone over the continent.
This year, 1996, scientists from the University of Wyoming, the University
of California at Irvine and technicians from the NASA facility at Goddard,
came down on the first flight after sunrise to study this annual event.
S-131
Jim Hereford,
Bruno Nardi,
Darin Toohey,
Lyle Womack.
This group measures ozone levels with balloon launched ozonesondes, particle
counters and condensation nuclii detectors. A new instrument, built by Darin
Toohey, was launched to study chloroflorocarbon and halon breakdown products,
chlorine monoxide and bromine monoxide (it resembles a similar instrument
previously flown aboard NASA's U-2 research plane, but weighing in at a
compact 40 lbs). This experiment is a one-shot, but the smaller packages are
launched every other day, weather permitting.
Balloon statistics
| Volume |
Payload |
Instruments |
Max alt. |
| 19,000 ft³
| few lbs.
| Ozonesonde
| 33 km (~105,000 ft)
|
| 50,000 ft³
| 40 lbs.
| Particle counter + ozonesonde
| 28 km (~90,000 ft)
|
| 141,000 ft³
| 40 lbs.
| Condensation nuclii +
ozonesonde
| 33 km (~105,000 ft)
|
| 160,000 ft³
| 100 lbs.
| ClO/BrO detector +
particle counter + ozonesonde
| 28 km (~90,000 ft)
|
Pictures
- Ozonesonde launch - 3 September 1996
- [46k JPG]
Inflating a "19K" balloon
- [47k JPG]
Still inflating
- [34k JPG]
Bruno and Lyle checking for the proper amount of lift
- [36k JPG]
Jim holds the balloon while Lyle ties on the instrument
- [36k JPG]
Jim and Darin
- [21k JPG]
Up and away
- [39k JPG]
S-131 group photo - From the left: Bruno, Darin, Lyle and Jim
- Ozonesonde launch - 15 September 1996
- [42k JPG]
Lyle and Darin setting out the fill tube
- [52k JPG]
Lyle adjusting the bubble to avoid tearing
- [32k JPG]
Darin manning the filler
- [45k JPG]
Lyle wrestling the fill tube
- [11k JPG]
Launch
- ClO counter launch - 21 September 1996
- [37k JPG]
Darin's group always launches a passenger
- [30k JPG]
Watching the "160K" balloon inflate
- [33k JPG]
Darin turning on his instrument
- [49k JPG]
Instrument, tinkertoy, parachute and balloon, all ready for launch
T-315
André Fortin and
Kurt Rush
This group manages several projects, one of which is the new TOMS-EP
(Total Ozone Mapping Satellite - Earth Probe). Recently launched via
Pegasus delivery system, it uses reflected sunlight to detect the amount
of ozone in the stratosphere.
Pictures
Currently unavailable
Links
TOMS-EP Home Page
To Ethan's Home Page
Last modified:
24 September 1996
© Copyright 1995, 1996, Ethan Dicks
<erd@iname.com>.
All Rights Reserved.
