Luchtsondes

Luchtsondes, also known as weather balloons or radiosondes, are instruments used to measure atmospheric conditions at various altitudes. These devices are typically attached to a balloon filled with helium or hydrogen, which ascends through the atmosphere while transmitting data back to ground stations. Luchtsondes are commonly employed in meteorology to gather real-time information about temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind speed and direction.

The term *luchtsonde* originates from Dutch, where *lucht* means "air" and *sonde* refers to a probe or sensor. These balloons are often launched twice daily from weather stations worldwide as part of the Global Weather Observation System. The data collected helps improve weather forecasting accuracy and contributes to climate research.

A typical radiosonde consists of a small, lightweight package containing sensors, a radio transmitter, and a battery. As the balloon rises, it expands due to decreasing atmospheric pressure, eventually bursting at an altitude of around 20–40 kilometers. The descending radiosonde is usually recovered or destroyed to prevent littering.

Luchtsondes play a crucial role in understanding atmospheric dynamics, including the study of jet streams, temperature inversions, and atmospheric pollution. They complement satellite and radar data, providing high-resolution vertical profiles of the atmosphere. While modern technology has introduced alternative methods like drones and satellites, luchtsondes remain a cost-effective and reliable tool for atmospheric monitoring.