posted June 1, 2006 |
During the evening of May 30, 2006 Mike Riffle saw a bright object in the skies above the Columbus, Georgia area. As he began snapping photos, he witnessed an unusual sight - the bursting of a weather balloon as it reached the end of its mission. This balloon, after having been launched by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, was at an altitude of 112,897 feet, and was brightly lit by the setting sun.
Weather Balloon at the End of its Mission over Columbus, GA. ( click images to enlarge or click here for animation) |
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Photos courtesy Mike Riffle. | |
![]() Balloon brightly lit by the evening sun at an altitude in excess of 100,000 feet. |
![]() Balloon just after bursting. |
![]() Balloon now descending. |
![]() Continuing to fall. |
The typical flight ends at an altitude exceeding 100,000 feet.
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