This meteorograph rose to a height of 23,870 meters (94,716 feet), at which height the pressure was 23 mm. (0.906 inches), temperature -52.1 C (-58 F.), relative humidity 21 per cent, wind E. (or more precisely S. 79 degrees E.), velocity 6.1 m.p.s. (14 miles per hour), but the minimum temperature was registered at 15,228 meters (49,960 feet) when the thermometer showed -64.7 C. (-85 F.), at which time the pressure was 89 mm. (3.504 inches of the barometer), relative humidity 19 per cent, wind N.W., 3.4 m.p.s. (8 miles per hour).
The basket was picked up at sea off Oceanside, San Diego County, about 90 km. (145 miles) east of Avalon.
For the first 6 miles of ascension the balloon moved upward at the rate of 8 miles per hour.
Fig. 4. First Flight of Airplane Carrying Two Persons
Photographed September 10, 1908
This photograph was made at Fort Meyer, Virginia, of the original Wright biplane, piloted by Mr. Orville Wright With Colonel G. O. Squier, U. S. A., as first passenger.
When this photograph was made no fatalities in airplane flight had occurred; the first victim, Lieutenant Selfridge, U. S. A., was killed while riding with Mr. Wright in the same biplane shown above, on the Tuesday following the Saturday this photograph was made, the machine falling to the ground at a spot which is practically the center of the picture, but near the trees which are part of Arlington National Cemetery.
Fig. 5. Mount Wilson Observatory
Photographed December 24, 1915
A special meteorological station of the Weather Bureau was established on Mount Wilson, December 25, 1915, and on April 1, 1916, daily reports of temperature, weather, precipitation, relative humidity, fog and other conditions were first telegraphed to the local office of the Weather Bureau at Los Angeles for publication and distribution.
The photograph shows the location of the meteorological observatory(*) and the valleys below. From the elevation of the observatory (6,000 feet above sea-level), it is possible for the observer to determine the thickness and extent of fog as it is feasible to see as far southwesterly as Point Loma on a clear day, and southerly to Santa Catalina Island. Such observations and reports have been made and forwarded without interruption to date. They have proven of incalculable value to the aviators making cross-country flights.
The station on Mount Wilson is maintained through the coöperation of the Carnegie Institute of Washington.
