Validation and traceability of miniaturized multi-parameter cluster of radiosondes used for atmospheric observations

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel, biodegradable radiosonde cluster system designed for passive, multi-parameter atmospheric measurements inside warm clouds, enabling detailed turbulence analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a new lightweight, expendable radiosonde cluster capable of floating in clouds and capturing comprehensive micro-physical atmospheric data.

Findings

Successful deployment inside warm clouds for several hours

Accurate measurements of temperature, pressure, humidity, and magnetic fields

Enables Lagrangian turbulence statistics in cloud microphysics

Abstract

In this work we designed and developed a cluster of light expendable radiosondes that can float passively inside warm clouds to study their micro-physical processes. This involves the tracking of both saturated and unsaturated turbulent air parcels. The aim of this new kind of observation system is to obtain Lagrangian statistics of the intense turbulence inside warm clouds and of the lower intensity turbulence that is typical of the air surrounding such clouds. Each radiosonde in a cluster includes an electronic board, which is mounted onto a small, biodegradable balloon filled with a mixture of helium and air. The cluster is able to float inside clouds for a few hours and to measure air temperature, pressure, humidity and the associated position, velocity, acceleration and magnetic field readings of each radiosonde along their trajectory.