Theodolite

theodolite An optical or radio instrument used to make accurate measurements of vertical and horizontal angles; used in tracking instrument packages on weather balloons and rockets. Optical theodolites use a telescope to aid in tracking. thermistor ...

1. A "Theodolite" is a weather instrument similar to a surveying instrument. It consists of a small telescope for tracking weather balloons.

T0430 Theodolite Instrument used to observe the direction of an object in space by the simultaneous determination of its azimuth and elevation. T0440 Theoretical meteorology Study of atmospheric phenomena by means of scientific theories.

Automatic Radio Theodolite Master Control Unit (ART) This unit is used to automatically track radiosondes.

The Automatic Radiotheodolite. A ground-based radio direction finder that automatically tracks a ballon-borne radiosonde. ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center ...

Radar theodolite A radar which is used to obtain the azimuth, elevation, and slant range of an airborne target.

THEODOLITE An optical instrument used to track the motion of a pilot balloon, or pibal, by measuring the elevation and azimuth angles.

TheodoliteAn instrument used in surveying to measure horizontal and vertical angles with a small telescope that can move in the horizontal and vertical planes. It used to track the movements of either a ceiling balloon or a radiosonde.

The rate of ascent is assumed known, and the position of the balloon is calculated from its altitude as measured by a theodolite.

Rawinsonde Radiosonde which is tracked by radar or radio-theodolite to measure the wind aloft.

It is accomplished by recording the elevation and azimuth angles of the balloon at specified time intervals while visually tracking a radiosonde balloon with a theodolite.

RAWINSONDE: A method of upper air observation consisting of an evaluation of the wind speed and direction, temperature, pressure,and humidity aloft by means of a balloon-borne radiosonde tracked by radar or a radio theodolite.

The first rawinsondes were observed from the ground with a theodolite, and gave only a wind estimation by the position.

See also: Weather, Meteor, Temperature, Atmosphere, Pressure