134 scientists, engineers, and technical specialists from Brazil, France, Germany, and Italy are ready in the city of Timom for the launching of eight Stratospheric Balloons. The idea is to analyze the pollution and the quantity of chemical substances in the environment.
According to the scientists, a base was installed in the city of Timom, in the state of Maranhão, in Northeastern Brazil, chosen to be the world capital of scientific research for two months.
The newly inaugurated research base will serve for the study of global climactic effects, especially the changes produced in the stratosphere and the ozone layer.
The project, coordinated by the Brazilian scientist Arlindo Dotta, is made up of 50 technical workers and 84 scientists from the four countries.
He declared that one of the goals of the study is to determine new dimensions of the effects of greenhouse gases on the planet. Accordng to the scientist, the same study has already been carried out in other points on the earth.
The choice of the spot selected by the scientists has to do with its proximity to the Equator. The launch base was set up on a private landing site which was not being used.
The research equipment weighs around 150 tons and was transported in 16 containers. The study will be based on data gathered by meteorological balloons that will be launched to an altitude of 37 kilometers.
The information will be transmitted to the rest of the world through the Envisat satellite, which has been in orbit for two years.
Agência Brasil
Translator: David Silberstein