værballonger

Værballonger, also known as weather balloons, are essential tools for meteorological observation. They are typically large balloons made of latex or neoprene that are inflated with a lighter-than-air gas, such as helium or hydrogen. These balloons are released into the atmosphere to carry instruments that measure various atmospheric conditions.

The primary instrument carried by a weather balloon is a radiosonde. A radiosonde is a compact electronic device that measures atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind speed and direction. As the balloon ascends, the radiosonde transmits this data back to ground stations via radio waves. The data collected is crucial for weather forecasting, climate research, and understanding atmospheric dynamics.

Weather balloons are released from a wide network of ground stations around the world. They are typically launched twice a day at scheduled times to ensure consistent data collection across different regions. The balloons ascend to very high altitudes, often reaching the stratosphere, where they can measure conditions above the majority of the Earth's atmosphere.

Due to the expanding gas within the balloon and the decreasing atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes, the balloon will eventually expand to its maximum capacity and burst. The radiosonde, now detached, falls back to Earth, often equipped with a parachute to slow its descent and minimize damage. While most radiosondes are not recovered, the data they transmit is invaluable. In some cases, specialized balloons are used for longer-duration flights or to carry heavier payloads for specific research purposes.