The panel stresses the importance of climate monitoring devices; US shoots down Chinese balloon over espionage allegations
After the launch of UFOs (unidentified objects) in the United States in early February, the OMN (World Meteorological Organization) informed the UN (United Nations Organization) on Friday (02/17/2023) that about 900 balloons are launched every day all over the world at the same time.
According to Orgel, the objects can fly for many kilometers before bursting and parachuting back to earth. The balloons measure pressure, wind speed, temperature and humidity from just above the ground to altitudes of up to 115,000 feet (approx. 35 km). The flights last an average of 2 hours.
“Weather balloons have been a very important part of the global observation network for decades, as they are the main source of aboveground data,” the WMO said.
Inside the balloons is a radio sonde transmitter that broadcasts the collected data every 1 or 2 seconds. When this equipment is launched in marine areas, observations are made from about 15 vessels sailing mainly in the North Atlantic.
With the information it is possible to calculate the speed and direction of the wind. “They provide valuable realtime information for computer forecasting models, local data for meteorologists to make forecasts and forecast storms, weather monitoring and data for research to better understand weather and climate processes,” the agency says.
UNDERSTAND THE CHINESE BALLOON EPISODE
On February 2, the US Department of Defense announced that it had spotted a “highaltitude Chinese surveillance balloon” over US territory. The equipment was located in the state of Montana near Malmstrom Air Force Base, where three fields of nuclear missile silos are located.
This structure is used to store and launch ballistic missiles. “As soon as the balloon was spotted, the US government acted immediately to protect itself from the collection of classified information,” the Pentagon said in a statement. Here is the full text (22 KB, in English).
The following day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken decided to postpone the February 5 trip to China to two days. He was due to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to discuss the two countries’ relationship and the increase in Covid19 cases.
On February 4, the United States claimed to have shot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon off the coast of North and South Carolina after the equipment flew over sensitive military sites. The balloon represented an increase in tension between the Americans and the Chinese.
China, on the other hand, said the object was a device used “for research purposes, mainly meteorological purposes” and deviated from its course due to wind currents. Chinese newspaper Global Times said there has been a campaign against China over the balloon.