Balloonology:Balloonology:Reading PibalsReading Pibals

2009 BFA Jr. Balloonist Camp2009 BFA Jr. Balloonist Camp

Reading PibalsReading Pibals

Goal: To record, graph and interpret local wind patterns

Reading PibalsReading Pibals

Terms and Definitions (according to dictionary.com):

Pibal The measurement and computation of the speed and direction of winds by theodolitic tracking of a pilot balloon.

Polar Coordinate System

A system of coordinates in which the location of a point is determined by its distance from a fixed point at the center of the coordinate space (called the pole) and by the measurement of the angle formed by a fixed line (the polar axis, corresponding to the x-axis in Cartesian coordinates) and a line from the pole through the given point.

Reading PibalsReading Pibals

Items Needed:– Compass– Pibal– Watch w/second hand– Recording Sheet– Polar Graphing Paper– Pen / pencil

Team Needed:– Compass Reader– Time Keeper– Recorder

Reading PibalsReading Pibals

Actions:– Organize a team of three people and

assigning roles – Release Pibal– Record compass direction every 20 second

on Recording Sheet (count down last 5 seconds each mark)

– Graph the recorded direction on Polar Graph paper

Reading PibalsReading Pibals

Completed Graph Example:

Reading PibalsReading Pibals

Discussion:– What challenges were there in tracking the

Pibal? – What would effect the rate of rise of the Pibal?– How much does the recorded direction differ

from the actual direction?

Reading PibalsReading Pibals

Discussion:– Would the rate of rise effect the direction?– How could you effect the rate of rise?– Would it be possible to determine speed as

well as direction?

Reading PibalsReading Pibals

End of Activity!