50 years ago, a balloon circumnavigated the world for science


Twice around the world by Boomerang balloonScience Information, April 7, 1973

Scientists recovered for the primary time … a balloon scientific payload after a long-duration, twice-around-the-world flight. The undertaking known as Boomerang and is designed to show the feasibility of utilizing balloons for long-duration analysis.

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Balloons fill an necessary area of interest in science, bearing devices to check physics, atmospheric chemistry and astronomy, or to check applied sciences for area missions. For example, knowledge collected by balloons have helped reveal that the universe is geometrically flat, that Earth’s decrease ambiance is rising because of local weather change and the way wildfire smoke impacts the ozone layer (SN: 10/08/02; SN: 12/18/21; SN: 8/8/19).

Earlier this yr, america shot down a number of objects excessive above the nation, considered one of which is alleged to be a surveillance balloon from China. Others are doubtless “tied to personal corporations, recreation or analysis establishments learning climate or conducting different scientific analysis,” President Joe Biden mentioned February 16 in a information briefing. Some scientists fear rising considerations over spying might restrict the place high-altitude balloons go — a tall order for vessels that comply with the wind.

Carolyn Gramling

Carolyn Gramling is the earth & local weather author. She has bachelor’s levels in geology and European historical past and a Ph.D. in marine geochemistry from MIT and the Woods Gap Oceanographic Establishment.