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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™
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Articles 1 - 6 of 6
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Collecting Multiple Data Points In A Thunderstorm Environment, Matthew Nelson
Collecting Multiple Data Points In A Thunderstorm Environment, Matthew Nelson
2017 Academic High Altitude Conference
Collecting multiple data points in adverse conditions such as a thunderstorm presents a number of challenges in collecting and relaying data. Wireless sensor mesh networks is a proven method for extracting and relaying data in radio environments that may either be roving, in adverse conditions or both. This paper explores using wireless sensor mesh networks to collect atmospheric data that is present in a thunderstorm system to enable researchers to learn more from these systems. A wireless sensor mesh network is ideal since it is well suited for both moving and sensor nodes that are in adverse RF conditions. A …
Directional Camera Control On High Altitude Balloons, Matthew M. Plewa, Brent Scharlau
Directional Camera Control On High Altitude Balloons, Matthew M. Plewa, Brent Scharlau
2017 Academic High Altitude Conference
The research reported in this paper examined the design and control of a gimbal for solar eclipse tracking and video recording. The gimbal design required 3 axes of rotation to allow for full range of motion. Utilizing individual brushless motors for each of the axes ensure minimum rotational requirements on each axes. In controlling the gimbal, both a mathematical and visual method were utilized. The mathematical method is a modified version of what is currently used for solar array pointing. The visual method looks at where the position of the sun is within the image and determines what angle changes …
Using Thermocouple, Thermistor, And Digital Sensors To Characterize The Thermal Wake Below Ascending Weather Balloons, Erick Agrimson, Kaye Smith, Rachel Newman, Kassandra Surma, Maggie Singerhouse, Britany Craig, Marilyn Mcnamara, James Flaten, Alex Pratt, Stephanie Wegner, Joe Dillon
Using Thermocouple, Thermistor, And Digital Sensors To Characterize The Thermal Wake Below Ascending Weather Balloons, Erick Agrimson, Kaye Smith, Rachel Newman, Kassandra Surma, Maggie Singerhouse, Britany Craig, Marilyn Mcnamara, James Flaten, Alex Pratt, Stephanie Wegner, Joe Dillon
2017 Academic High Altitude Conference
In this paper we present additional results from our on-going research effort to characterize the thermal wake that trails below ascending latex weather balloons on flights into the stratosphere; a wake which interferes with the ability of temperature sensors in payload boxes hanging from the balloon (and hence enveloped by the wake) to correctly measure the ambient temperature of the atmosphere through which the balloon is ascending. A “wake boom” is used to measure temperature variations up to 1.5 m horizontally from varying distances directly below the neck of the balloon. Results to date agree with the literature that especially …
Techniques For Payload Stabilization For Improved Photography During Stratospheric Balloon Flights, James Flaten, Christopher Gosch, Joseph (Benjamin) Habeck
Techniques For Payload Stabilization For Improved Photography During Stratospheric Balloon Flights, James Flaten, Christopher Gosch, Joseph (Benjamin) Habeck
2017 Academic High Altitude Conference
Payload-box rotation and swing are perennial challenges to achieving high-quality photography (typically videography) during weather-balloon flights to “near-space” (AKA the stratosphere). Continuous camera motion can lead to blurred still photos, nearly-impossible-to-watch video footage, and precludes time-exposure photography required for most astronomical imaging even though altitudes are reached where the daytime sky appears black. Apparently-random payload rotation, persisting even at altitude, can often exceed servo rotation rates and frustrate attempts to do active camera pointing. Here we discuss mostly-passive payload stabilization strategies we, and our collaborators, have used to mitigate and dampen both swing and rotation of suspended payloads on high-altitude …
The “Stratospheric Cricket Keeper” – Developing A Simple“Life-Support” Payload For High-Altitude Balloon Missions, Lucas Kramer, Chad Serba, James Flaten
The “Stratospheric Cricket Keeper” – Developing A Simple“Life-Support” Payload For High-Altitude Balloon Missions, Lucas Kramer, Chad Serba, James Flaten
2017 Academic High Altitude Conference
Exposure to the environmental conditions of “near-space” (AKA the stratosphere) is quickly fatal to nearly all forms of animal life. It is even challenging to build a sealable enclosure that can keep insects (crickets) alive through the dramatic and simultaneous pressure and temperature drops experienced during a high-altitude balloon mission. This poster describes the development of a rugged “cricket keeper” in which we were able to fly crickets to the stratosphere and, quoting the words of JFK, “return (them) safely to the earth!” This “life-support” payload had large windows (for the view!) and included Arduino-logged temperature and pressure sensors, an …
Using A High Altitude Balloon Platform To Observe And Measure Seasonal Ozone Flux Over Agricultural Landscapes, Cody Sabo
2017 Academic High Altitude Conference
The concentration of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) in the atmosphere has continued to rise since the industrial era. This issue has had a multitude of negative impacts on all living things. Among the major GHGs are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Ozone is of particular importance because it not only has the ability to trap heat in the atmosphere, but it also directly impacts organisms by causing harm to both plants and humans. The damage that ozone causes to plants is most closely linked to ozone uptake rather than ozone concentration. So, measuring ozone uptake is becoming critical for …