Humidity sensor reading

ES110 2010-11 near-space mission humidity sensor


Humidity inside the probe

Most likely the humidity sensor froze at the altitude above 5000m (see temperature graph)

ES110 class consensus

On the graph above, we can see the humidity in % plotted against the altitude. At ground level, immediately prior to the launch, the humidity was at 28%. As the balloon rose initially, the humidity rose as well as it went through the cloud cover. Once it had passed this however, the humidity level dropped dramatically and reached a minimum of approx. 21%, sometimes reaching 20%. This is due to the thinning of the atmosphere and lower air pressures at higher altitudes, where the air is not able to hold as much water vapor as at lower altitudes. As the balloon descended, the humidity increased, and the last measurement was much higher than the initial ground level measurement – 63%. This can be accounted for by the movement of the pressure systems, bringing a light drizzle and some light snow flurries with the low pressure system.

Written by Amy Dwyer

The humidity of the device increased as it increased in altitude suggesting the probe hit some clouds. When the balloon reached 1808.59 m, the humidity percentage had risen from 28% to 49%. It followed, that as he balloon descended, the humidity percentage also decreased and the balloon reached 63% when it landed.

Written by Rachel Lindsay

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