Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 12/16/2007 - 10:57
Forums
South Pole Ozone Changes

Dear Elke,

How high can the balloons go in the air and still be able to send data?  Do you always cut the cord at the same height?  Have you been having problems with altitude sickness?  Will you enter the snow/ice carving contest?

Thank you for your wonderful journal entries.  We especially like the photographs.

Warmly,

 Lisbeth Uribe and Andreas (5th grader at The School at Columbia) 

Wed, 01/02/2008 - 10:43

Elke Bergholz

Hi Lisbeth amd Andrea,1. The stratospheric balloon (yellow) can go as high as about 35 kilometers until it bursts. We want it to go up as high as possible and that is the limit.  The box that contains the ozonesonde (ozone concentation instrument) has also a radiosonde attached. This radiosonde sends the data via radio antenna to an antenna and a  receiver in the lab, just like the way you receive music. The receiver is attached to a computer. The radio signal is converted into an analog signal (computer) that translates it into data tables and a graph.
2. First, we only cut the cord when we study the elevated surface ozone. For this we used the pink balloon which is much smaller. We have a divice attached that works with pressure that coincides with a ceratin altitude. That means the cord is cut always at the same altitude.
3. No, I have been doing fine. I started to take some altitude medication in McMurdo and I took it easy upon arrival at the pole. So I have been doing very well.
4. We have been very buzy , so I did not have a chance to carve something. Maybe I will be able to do something in a few day. Many people did not participate and there are a few blocks out there unused! I will take pictures of the sculptures completed
Have a great vacation,
Elke Bergholz