Section of aërial navigation and aëronautics: A meeting of the section was held on thursday evening, January 23, 1913, at 8 o'clock, in the Hall of the Institute. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Stradling, who, with a few preliminary remarks, introduced Dr. W. J. Humphreys, Director of the Mount Weather Observatory, U. S. Weather Bureau, and Professor of Meteorological Physics at the George Washington University

✍ Scribed by W.E. Bullock

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1913
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 57 KB
• Volume: 175
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0016-0032
• DOI: 10.1016/s0016-0032(13)90884-x

✦ Synopsis

Dr. Humphreys delivered an illustrated lecture on " Physics of the Atmosphere and Aviation."

He spoke of the means of exploring the atmosphere from mountains by means of kites and sounding balloons containing instruments, and, higher, by taking observations of shooting stars, auroral arcs, etc.

He considered the temperature and composition of the air at different levels, illustrating his remarks with interesting diagrams. The discovery of the is~othermal--one of the most important discoveries of modern meteorology--and its explanation were described by him in detail.

By means of maps he explained the horizontal movement of the earth's atmosphere, directing attention especially to the " ocean highs."

He discussed wind structure, general circulation of air, and other subjects of vital interest to a~ronauts. He also spoke of Simpson's modern theory of the electrical discharge in thunder-storms, givifig a lucid description of this subject.

Throughout the lecture Dr. Humphreys held the close interest of his audience, and at the close of his remarks the thanks of the meeting were extended him.