Alumni Focus
Taylor Patterson, a WSC student who completed his B.A. in physics August 2003, capped his academic career by building and testing a radiation-measuring instrument that was flown to an altitude of 100,000 feet on a helium balloon.
The project was part of a joint effort involving a dozen schools in Colorado that are members of the Colorado Space Grant Consortium to promote interest in space science. Western has been an affiliate of the consortium since 1991 and many students have benefited from that affiliation.
Taylor's instrument was designed to measure solar radiation in ultraviolet, visible and near infrared wavelengths through a system of detectors and filters as the balloon ascended. The balloon was launched from Deer Trail, Colorado, on August 2. The instrument package descended on a parachute and was recovered about 30 miles away near Limon.
The radiation intensities were recorded and stored electronically until the recovery. Although the data have not been completely analyzed, indications are that the device functioned well. Other students will have an opportunity to participate in the project by doing data analysis.
Dr. Ted Violett, Professor of Physics, is the faculty advisor for the space science activities.