Prof. Piccard's Ascent into the Stratosphere

Abstract

ON Aug. 10, Prof. A. Piccard, of the University of Brussels, accompanied by M. Max Cosyns, ascended at about 5 A.M. from Dubendorf Aerodrome, near Zurich, in a specially constructed balloon. He rose to a height of 16,700 metres (about 10½ miles), thus penetrating well into the stratosphere, and, after a twelve hours' flight, landed at Cavallaro di Monzambano, which is about ten miles south of Lake Garda. Among the equipment of the balloon was a wireless set, by means of which Prof. Piccard sent messages to surface observers. It will be recalled that this was Prof. Piccard's second ascent, his first having been on May 27, 1931, when he reached a height of 9¾ miles. As was to be expected, the aeronauts suffered considerable discomfort. The greatest trouble was the intense cold encountered in the stratosphere. Prof. Piccard states that he has made a number of observations which he hopes will prove of great value, but of any scientific results it is too early to speak. During his previous flight, Prof. Piccard had hoped to obtain evidence of the cosmic rays under more favourable conditions, and any contributions that he may be able to make in this field, from this flight, will be awaited with interest. Meteorologists look forward to the announcement of Prof. Piccard's results, especially if he has been able to make any observations on the composition of the atmosphere within the stratosphere; for, in spite of the observations already made by self-recording instruments on unmanned balloons, very little is actually known at present about this region.