Abstract
Various versions of the falling sphere experiment have been used since 1952. Spheres equipped with sensitive accelerometers and passive, radar-tracked, inflated spheres are discussed. Soundings with the latter system are more prevalent and are discussed in some detail. With the best radars, density is measured to 120 km and winds to 70 km. Problems have to do with the effects of vertical wind, anomalous aerodynamic flow and loss of inflation gas. Flight comparisons with grenades, bead thermistors and mass spectrometers are discussed. Results from falling sphere soundings have been used for constructing profiles of model atmospheres, for a tropical survey in all seasons, and for studies of an explosive stratospheric warming, Southern Hemisphere circulation, the fine thermal structure of the mesopause, and the vertical scale of stratospheric and mesospheric winds.
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Jones, L.M., Peterson, J.W. (1968). Falling Sphere Measurements, 30 to 120 Km. In: Quiroz, R.S. (eds) Meteorological Investigations of the Upper Atmosphere. Meteorological Monographs, vol 9. American Meteorological Society, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-935704-37-9_21
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-935704-37-9_21
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