Strange Object landed in my Garden ..

[smurfchops]

I think it is some type of weather tester - it is a small white parachute with white plastic attachment, red balloon which has exploded, very very long nylon string, large plastic box with antennas coming out of it. Says Vaisala Radiosond with reference numbers, also a picture of a dustbin and a cross so of course I musn't thrown it in the bin. What is it, what do I do with it, any answers appreciated !!

Photo here:

http://i19.tinypic.com/2jf0nde.jpg

[Mortartube]

This might help

http://www.finnfacts.com/english/main/news/vai sala_radiosondi.htm

[smurfchops]

Thanks Mortartube I have sent them an email :)

[naz_nomad]

That's really cool ...unless it fell on you, of course.

[smurfchops]

I thought of that, although it obviously came down in the night with a parachute, it could have hit someone really hard or even dented someone's car or windscreen.

[gen2]

When I found a Radiosonde back in the 60s, it had a postcard on the side which you sent off to notify the Met Office. They then sent you a prepaid box for its return. Eventually they sent a small finacial reward. The one I found came from Stornoway. If yours came from Finland, then it may not be economical to return it. Modern electronics are now so cheap that they may now be considered to be disposable

The X-dustbin symbol is probably because it contains a battery.

[Toureman]

Just seen your picture smurf, the alien probably escaped out of the door on the right so you can pick it up now.

[smurfchops]

Nice one Toureman. A mate of mine said they might pay me a few quid for it as they are expensive to produce so watch this space ... it ain't going in the bin, it'll be a talking point for a while.

[maxximus]

wild, does anybody know what it actually does for sure? i've never seen or heard of one.

[sarnieken]

They measure barometric pressure and humidity, air pressure, wind speeds, things like that.
Different balloons do different things though.
The idea is to take accurate, recent or real-time measurements without having the expense of launching an aircraft and satellites that can't orbit at that altitude.

Might be worth something on Ebay. :).

[maxximus]

thanx sarnieken