“Mysterious Sounds Detected in the Upper Atmosphere by Solar-Powered Balloons”

2023-05-15 05:43:17

15.05.2023

By chance, an American researcher picked up mysterious sounds in the upper atmosphere. The detected infrasound aroused great interest since it was outside the normal range of natural sounds on Earth.

By chance, a researcher discovered mysterious sounds in one of the planet’s upper atmospheres.

During experiments on a solar-powered hot air balloon originally intended to explore the planet’s atmosphere, a researcher discovered mysterious and strange sounds in the stratosphere, which is one of the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere.

The balloon’s sensors picked up low-frequency sounds that are below normal audio signals, and no one has yet been able to explain the cause or nature of these sounds, according to the US Today newspaper.

“These low-cost, environmentally friendly balloons were mainly intended to test the layers of the atmosphere on other planets,” said researcher Daniel Bowman of Sandia National Laboratories affiliated with the US Department of Energy.

Bowman presented his findings on the use of hot air balloons Solar-powered eavesdropping on sounds in the stratosphere 184th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America.

Bowman said:[في طبقة الستراتوسفير] We’ve recorded mysterious ultrasound signals occurring a few times an hour during each balloon flight, but their source is completely unknown.”

The stratosphere is a relatively calm layer of Earth’s atmosphere. Aircraft or turbulence rarely reaches it, but the balloon sensors’ microphones picked up in this layer a variety of sounds not heard anywhere else.

Natural sounds generally mean the sounds of the collision of ocean waves and thunder, and sounds made by human intervention such as wind turbines or explosions.

Researcher Daniel Bowman of Sandia National Laboratories works with an assistant

To reach the stratosphere, Bowman said, he and his collaborators built balloons 6 to 7 meters high. He added that despite their large size and ability to collect data, the balloons were very economical and relatively simple due to their simple components and solar energy, according to what was published by Sci Tech Daily.

“Our balloons are basically giant plastic bags darkened from the inside with charcoal powder so that sunlight does not affect the sensitivity of the devices,” Bowman explained. “We build them using the simplest tools from a pyrotechnics supply store,” and “each balloon requires only $50 worth of materials and can be built in A place the size of a basketball court.”

Bowman adds: “When the sun shines on the dark balloons, we fill the balloon with air that is heated by the solar energy that is trapped inside the coal powder, and with time and due to the decrease in the density of hot air, the balloon begins to rise, which may reach more than 20 kilometers (66,000 feet). in the sky”.

Typically, researchers collect data and detect low-frequency sounds using barometers, which were originally designed to monitor volcanic activity. After the balloons are released, their trajectory is tracked using a Global Positioning System (GPS) – a necessary task because balloons sometimes travel hundreds of miles and land in hard-to-reach places. But because balloons are inexpensive and easy to build and launch, they can launch more of them and collect more data.

Emad Hassan

Helium gas.. The important hidden gas in our lives

How would our world be without helium gas? The first thing missing in the event that helium is gone may be the air balloons that are filled with this gas. Helium is one of the most abundant elements in nature. Whoever puts helium gas in his mouth changes the pitches of his voice and becomes loud, due to the low density of the gas.

Helium gas.. The important hidden gas in our lives

Before helium lies hydrogen, which is the lightest element in the universe, but its uses are dangerous. In 1937, the Zeppelin Hindenburg balloon exploded near American soil.

Helium gas.. The important hidden gas in our lives

As for helium gas, it is the second lightest element in nature, non-combustible and non-toxic, which made it safe for aviation, airships and airships, which can maintain their shape due to atmospheric pressure.

Helium gas.. The important hidden gas in our lives

Humans can inhale the gases at normal atmospheric pressures without problems, but they become toxic in areas with high atmospheric pressure. Nitrogen, for example, becomes a narcotic substance following a depth of 50 meters under water. As for oxygen, it causes damage to the nervous system when atmospheric pressure rises. For this, divers at great depths use a mixture of helium and oxygen gas.

Helium gas.. The important hidden gas in our lives

Helium gas can cool cylindrical coils and electromagnetic superconductors, which use strong magnetic fields, as in the nuclear fusion experiments at the German Wendelstein reactor. The magnetic layer in the reactor holds the plasma in place.

Helium gas.. The important hidden gas in our lives

Even the European Organization for Nuclear Research, which is located on the border between France and Switzerland, uses helium in experiments at the Large Hadron Collider. The helium cools the electromagnetic conductors that keep this unique device working. This is what made the organization own the largest “refrigerator” in the world.

Helium gas.. The important hidden gas in our lives

Many newer machines use helium gas, such as the MRI machine. Helium also cools the cylindrical coils in the device.

Helium gas.. The important hidden gas in our lives

Inert helium in welding prevents oxidation of iron pieces and completes the welding process.

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