ESC 420 is a class designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of weather instrumentation. During this course, students gain familiarity with different types of conventional meteorological instruments, such as barometers, thermometers, hygrometers and anemometers. However, given recent technological advances, the course now emphasizes the principles of radar and satellite operation, and image interpretation. Students also are required to assimilate information into coded weather observations, and learn about the quirks of ASOS, the automated sensor array now employed at many observing stations. Students enrolled in ESC 420 during the Spring 1998 semester were required to construct a simple weather instrument using everyday household items (and a little imagination). The purpose of this page is to put these instruments on display for all the world to see. As you will see for yourself, some of the students went above and beyond the call of duty.
The instruments ranged from portable anemometers to an all inclusive weather observing system. We hope you like what you see!
Oh, by the way, some of the stories have been altered just a little. Troy will not in fact become independently wealthy from the sale of his TASOS, and Mike Gorse will not become famous for his barometer.
ANEMOMETERS
The anemometer is an instrument used to measure the wind speed.
Anemometers are often used in conjunction with a windvane, which measures
wind direction.
Troy came up with an
ingenious anemometer design by utilizing a bicycle axle
and an ordinary bicycle speedometer. He also built the instrument
it's own housing to protect it from inclement weather. Troy calibrated
his instrument by holding it out the window of a moving car, and also
through comparison with rooftop weather station anemometer data.
By programming the speedometer with different "wheel radii", we was
able to calibrate the anemometer. There was some difficulty at low
wind speeds due to the fairly massive rotating component, but an
advantage is realized in terms of durability at high wind speeds.
Troy's instrument array, aka TASOS, is a veritable tower of information;
it is also elaborately equipped with a rain gauge, thermometer and wind
vane.
It was recently auctioned off for professional use at $250K.
Chris' anemometer was very sensitive
even to the lightest winds and it did prove to be fairly accurate. She
constructed her instrument from an old mop handle and juice cups,
compliments of her children.
The principle of operation is based on the relation between the distance
the marked (black) cup travels in a given time, and the wind speed.
By counting the number of rotations per minute, average
wind speed is computed.
Once a part of TASOS, Chris' anemometer
was dismantled due a contractual disagreement with Troy.
The barometer is an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.
Pressure measurement is essential for accurate construction of synoptic
weather maps, initialization of numerical weather forecast models, and
the pressure tendency is a useful forecasting tool.
RAIN GAUGES
A rain gauge measures the amount precipitation,
whether it be rain or melted snow.
Debby had one of the most original instruments in the class. This form
of rain gauge is known as a hyetograph. She made the rain gauge using
a funnel, a hose, a tennis ball can, and a fishing bobber. As
precipitation accumulates in the can, the float rises, lifting a lever
arm to which a pen is attached. The pen draws a trace on a rotating
drum to provide information concerning the rainfall rate as well as
the total accumulated precipitation.
Tom: "This summer, in order to support
Debby's cross country journies, she intends to demonstrate and sell
her rain gauges in the outdoor concert venues throughout
the nation."
Jenn made her rain gauge using plumbing
materials, including copper piping and a porcelain "funnel". She used two
different wooden sticks to measure the total rainfall. She calibrated her
measurements with those of the SUNY Brockport rain gauges which are housed
on the rooftop of Lennon Hall.
Tom: "Jenn intends to use the accumulated rainfall
of her rain gauge to flourish her garden during the forecasted drought of
'98."
Adam had the largest of the rain gauges.
He used heating duct materials to construct this instrument. Adam invented
a clever means of reading the gauge- he simply lowered a measuring stick
into the gauge until it contacted the top of the accumulated water, then
noted the marking at the top of the gauge.
Tom: "Adam's eyes lit up when the project was assigned, for
he could finally build a rain gauge large and strong enough to withstand
the monsoon season in India. He intends to travel to India and test the
prototype himself, maybe then his monsoon obsession will be satisfied...
or will it flourish?"
Human Hair Hygrometers
A hygrometer is used to determine the relative humidity.
Why use human hair? It changes length in a predictable way when subjected
to changes in relative humidity. You may have noticed that your hair is
a little longer when you get out of the shower. This principle can be
used to construct a surprisingly accurate hygrometer.
Scott's hygrometer was constructed
using a wooden base, blonde, straight hair, and a rock. As the humidity
increases, the hair stretches and the rock lowers. He made a
reference chart behind the rock to determine the tendency of the humidity.
Scott took the time out of his busy to schedule to travel all the way to
Jamaica to search for the finest and most sensitive hair for his
experiment.
Tom:
Once Jason heard of Scott's travels, he decided to consult a mail order
catalog where he acquired the always reliable Swedish hair.
Thermometer
A thermometer is a device used to measure the
temperature, which is related to the average molecular kinetic energy
in a substance.
Emily made her thermometer using a
glass jar, a drinking straw, and colored alcohol. As the jar warms, pressure
inside increases, forcing some of the liquid up in the straw. By comparing
the level of liquid in the straw to readings from another thermometer,
Emily calibrated her thermometer. She attached a graduated marker next to
the thermometer to allow easy reading of the temperature values.
The only problem with this design is that the alcohol has a tendency to
evaporate... or was it consumed by "thirsty" classmates?
Well, what do you think?
One thing is true--we had a lot of fun making the instruments
as well as presenting them to our peers. It appears as though
the creators of the web page, Christine Crafts and Tom Mahoney,
may have had a bit too much fun! If you any comments, complaints
or questions concerning our sources of information you may e-mail
either one of us by clicking the following
Chris
or Tom.
BAROMETERS
