Temperature Measurements in the Stratosphere from Balloon-Borne Instrument Platforms, 1968-1975

Six balloon-borne experiments under the title Stratospheric Composition Experiments were originally designed to measure the temperature variations near an altitude of 50 km that were to be associated with the diurnal tide. Requirements for information concerning stratospheric composition, as well as measurements of interest to the possible pollution of the stratosphere by the Supersonic Transport and by the chlorofluorocarbons, gradually increased the number, types, and complexity of measurements conducted during each successive flight. During each flight, something was learned about techniques, sources of thermal contamination, and operational procedures which must be followed to accurately measure the correct atmospheric temperature with the balloon-borne film-mounted thermistor sensors. The temperature data obtained in the stratosphere from these six flights gives information which is indicative of the temperature variations which occur at a specific altitude in a parcel of air moving with the balloon within time intervals of 3 to 12 hours.