THE GLASS TOWER.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 319, 19 December 1929, Page 2

THE GLASS TOWER.

OBSERVING THE WEATHER. " German aviation is centred not about one of the huge airfields, bat in the glass-covered observation towers of the weather observatory , at Lindenberg, two hours from Bex— Ilin by train. This tower is the centre for the observation of weather conditions in the upper strata of th* air. The glass tower, which rests on * turntable, so that it may be adjuted to every wind, comes into action every eight hours. A huge box Irite of linen and bamboo, with a surface

of about twelve square yards, is sent up. Miles of fine wire on a windlass allow it to climb five or six miles, smaller kites being attached to th* wire from time to time to help carry it. The wire’s dead weight is about 130 pounds when five miles out. On days when there is no wind captive balloons are employed. The box kite and the balloons carry a delicate instrumeht which records on a paper cylinder the atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity at all altitudes. These records are combined with radio reports from obser-* vers in the many smaller stations "V scattered all over Germany for weather maps and reports. The entirs material is brop-Vast to the airports every hour. The Berlin airport obtains additional information by sending an observation plane up every day with a meteorologist, rising 16,500 ft. to 19,500 ft. Once a month, at the same hour, tha principal German weather observatories release free balloons equipped with meteorological recording devices. Some reach an altitude of twelves miles, where they expode and set free parachutes which bring tha instruments safely to earth. A notice attached promises a reward to the finder if he hands the instrument t to the nearest German consulate if it d drifts outside the country. Thence, it is sent to Lindenberg, where the records are added to the aviation charts. The village inn at Lindenberg takes on a cosmopolitan aspect in the even ing, when visiting scientists from all parts of the world gather for beer and gossip about tbeir achievements in aiding fliers to conquer the air. Outwardly the place is only a country village, but in meteorology Lindenberg has become a world centre.