Locals in Northeast Ohio are buzzing about a new discovery: eclipse weather balloons outfitted with specific instrumentation have been discovered in a variety of locations, including a small cow ranch near Berlin Heights and Elyria.
A group of University of Wyoming students traveled 1,300 miles to Bluffton, Ohio, to observe the complete eclipse on April 8. From there, they sent 32 weather balloons into the sky. These balloons reached an astounding height of 110,000 feet before softly landing to Earth using a parachute. One of these balloons landed in Berlin Heights, where Angie Catalano noticed it and instantly sent photographs with Fox 8 News.
The major purpose of these balloon releases was to collect real-time data on different atmospheric parameters such as temperature, wind speed, humidity, and gravity waves. The researchers wanted to know how the eclipse’s shadow may alter these parameters. Philip Bergmaier, a University of Wyoming researcher, said that this work not only helps with weather forecasting but also increases our knowledge of eclipses.
The devices connected to these balloons are described as “harmless weather instruments” and carry the mark of the “National Eclipse Weather Balloon.” This initiative is part of the University of Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium, which promotes collaboration between academics and space exploration.