WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9. 1963 _ - MO unta in Weather Modification Research Financed by $297,600 Grant A detailed, study of the processes by which the Appa lachian Mountains modify and influence showers is being conducted by the meteorology department under the sponsor ship of a $297,600 grant of the National Science Foundation. The ultimate - goal of the investigation is to achieve weather modification in central Pennsylvania. Dr. Charles L. Hosier, proles sof and head of the Department of MeteorolOgy, , believes that artificial rain production can only be successful if attempted on a small scale. Until now, most rain-making experiments have been performed on a large scale, and results have been inconclusive. Dr. Hosler belieVes that clouds may respond only to seeding at a certain period in their life cycle. At other stages of development, seeding may actually reduce rainfall. WHEN SEEDING . is attempted over a large - .area, clouds of all stages are encountered and the net result may bei insignificant. ' In order to statistically test the results of the planned seeding experiments, it is necessary to have a rather complete knowledge of the sniall-scale patterns of pre cipitation for various'weather uations. Since much more has to be learned about individual shciwers and shower patterns, seeding - experiment& - probably won't begin 'for at least another year._ • • • Three iears of research in this area have been concentrated at compiling radar data. The radar, which is located on 'the north eastern part of the campus, is operating continuously when fire cipitation• is occurring in central Pennsylvania. TIME-LAPSE movies are then made of the radar scope, and these films are analyzed in detail by graduate students_ working on the project. Some of the film in formation is - punched onto IBM cards and the high-speed digital computer in Boucke is used to process the data. - It has been found that the topography exerts an important modifying influence on the forma tion, dissipation, lifetime and dis tribution of showers. Part of this influence is brought about by waves in the atmosphere, which are induced by the moun tains. A -local wind flow between different mountains also appears to be important. CHARACTERISTICS of indi vidual showers and squall lines Let Collegian Classifieds WORK FOR YOU 11111111111111M111161111111111111111111111111: _.ZENITH Television, Color TV,E : - = FM-AM Radios, Stereo Hi-Fi Et •WOLLENSAK Tape Recorders= • ARRARD Changers, etc. E - -TELEVISION E = I SERVICE c. = CENTER • at State College TV 232 S. Allen St. - = NITTANY - - FLYING •I : .CLUB V1(0 , 04 - riAtt: - ._ 2 13 - 11 UV. " • Meii-thership: cards " to bedietributed . *Dues - to-. be collected *Plane • to -be moved By JOEL MYERS and the variations in the amount and distribution of showers with time of the day and season of the year have also been found. The radar films indicate that showers seldom develop in certain areas but develop frequently in other areas. Balloons that have been tracked by radar have revealed the im portance of mountain waves and f u r t her studies of these wave phenomena are planned. Atmospheric electricity is also being investigated since there are indicationg that it may play a role in the growth of elements within clouds. IT IS HOPED that many of the Unknown quantities that deter mine the life history of a shower can be uncovered. Once these are known, cloud "seeding might be used to change the natural course of events. THE DAILY COLLEGIAN, UNIVERSITY PARK, PENNSYLVANIA RADAR ANTENNA is checked RADARSCOPE: Echo oriented north-south to left of scope cen by radar technician and re- ter is a squall line and' the circular echoes in the ,upper right search assistant. are showers. As recipient of the award Jor the TFX, General Dynamics/ Fort Worth•continues to pioneer technological development in the. Southwest, The TFX is a hi-service (Air Force and NavyY:aircraft ,with many unique engineering character. istics: Its :development will afford excellent engineering op'poilUnitles to qualified engineers and scientists. To take advantage 'Of.these opportunities, contact your Placement ,Director to determine when a GD/FW representative will • „, be on campus, or write Mr. J. B. Ellis,- Industrial Relations Administrator-Engineering, General Dynamics/Fort Worth, P:_o. Box 748, Fort . Worth,,TeXas. An equal opportunity :employer. GIIIIIIIIDGENERAL DYNAMICS I FORT WORTH PAGE FIVE
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