230 years of unbroken weather recordings

The Armagn Observatory marks a very special meteorological milestone when the Institute celebrates a 230 -year -old continuous air observation.

The tradition of uninterrupted handwriting data makes it the longest continuous air information series collected anywhere in England and Ireland.

In order to mark the important anniversary, events are held at Armgh Observation on Monday.

Nowadays, most weather data are collected only by automatic air stations, but not in Armagn, where human touch remains.

First handwriting record, on the evening of July 14, 1795, a graph at the observatory sitting on Armghh city was recorded in a measurement of temperature and air pressure.

The measurement was repeated every day the next day and the next 230 years.

Shane Kelly is currently the main meteorological observer at the Observatory.

Since 1999, the role involves opening the role known as the Stevenson screen with sensitive thermometers before notebooks of readings into the handwriting notebook.

Eli entered much more data rows than 17 pioneers.

“You are almost rooted in the infrastructure,” Shane says.

“Observatory astronomy is also meteorology, and years later I feel that I am a part of the bricks.”

After reading at Armgh for 25 years, Shane said that he noticed changes in the pattern of our air.

“The seasons are not as clear as before,” he explained.

“We run here for two days and a long season with the sun for a few days.”

230 -year weather data in Armgh begins at the point where meteorological science is in infancy.

Starting from 1795, it comes before the publication of Luke Howard’s article on the modification of clouds for eight years.

This effective book has demonstrated the naming system for the clouds that are still used today.

Observers in Armgh have left their own traces about the development of science.

Records include some of the first recorded observations of Noctilucent clouds, such as the Great Aurora events and no such feature of open summer nights in the north of Ireland.

The entrance of January 6, 1839 describes “a tremendous galle”.

A very simple explanation of a storm reportedly killed by 250 to 300 people.

In 1908, when over 70’s pensions were introduced in Ireland, Oíche Na Gaoithe Móire (Great Wind Night) was used as a qualified question for people without birth certificates.

In addition, Romney Robinson, the third director of the Observatory – may encourage a device to correctly measure the wind speed – the four cups of anemometers.

Dr. Rok Nežič, a tours in Armagni Observatory and Planetarium, said there were ways to measure wind speed before four cups of anemometers, but they were not very true.

Robinson Robinson thought a device that could capture the wind from any direction, Dr Dr Nežič, a educated air observer, said.

“There have been small changes since the invention in 1845, but we are still using it today.

“From Armagn – taken around the world.”

The uninterrupted data series recorded in Armagni was largely written by men, but it was only protected by an extraordinary woman.

In 1917, Theresa Hardcastle arrived from England to Armgh with his children.

Her husband Joseph was appointed as the next director of the Observatory, and Theresa came to control the repairs of the house they would share.

Joseph got sick and died before traveling to join him.

In Armgh, Theresa continued to make daily air observations and records.

Jessica Moon of the Observatory and Poretarium describes Theresa as the “Unung Hero” of the Armagni story.

“Nobody would expect him to do it,” he said.

“This was not his role. A very important detail.”

Today, most of the air observers trained by Shane Kelly come from all over the world.

For the current Observatory Director Professor Michael Burton, Hands are an important part of the education process for Armagh -based doctoral students for the collection of air data.

“The measurement process is the heart of science,” he said.

“But this is not a simple process. And with data pollution – hand contamination process by hand – an important part of understanding what happened there.

“Measure the air actually teaches you a lot about science … Helps you understand your data.”

This important role in educating the scientists and astronomers of the future means that Armagn’s weather and human connection will continue for the coming years.