Rockets Probe Secrets Of 50-Mile High Clouds: One of the greatest unsolved questions of the upper atmosphere is being investigated by nightly firing of Skua rockets from Britain's northernmost rocket range on South Uint in the Outer Hebrides. Clouds that shine at night at a height of 50 miles have baffled meteorologists for centuries. The highest ordinary clouds step at a height of 10 miles. In the opinion of Dr. R. Frith, Assistant Director of High Atmosphere Research, Meteorological office, Brasknell, the centre of the clouds is made up from met~rists particles surrounded by ice. The origin of the water that from the clouds is at present unknown. The clouds appear only between June and August at a high geographical latitude. If more details about the temperature in this region were known, the origin of the water might be explained. The range, officially called The Royal Artillery Guided Weapons Range (H~brides), is under the control of the Army. The R.A.F. is responsible Bristol Aero Jets, of Weston-super-Mars. The Meteorlogical office measuring the temperature wind velocity and other atmospheric data and the the scientific evaluation of it. The rocket reaches an altitude of 55 miles at its maximum, where a small parachute is ejected to carry down slowly the thermometer equipment. Readings from the thermometer are automatically broadcast and received on the ground. Photo shows Mr. Reggy Almond, who is in charge of the Meteorlogical office team, receiving scientific data sent back by radi0.
Photo measures 10 x 8 inches.
Photo is dated 07-07-1967.
Photo back:
