Making Weather Instruments - Nephoscope


Purpose: To increase observation skills, To predict wind directions.
Season: All
Materials: Nephoscope (Talk to Mr. Owen about these BEFORE you go to Miller Springs.), compass.
TEKS: 5.1A    5.2A thru E    5.4A,B     5.6A,B
Procedure:
  1. Orient the nephoscope with a compass. (Align the north mark on the indicator with the north mark on the compass.)
  2. Place the nephoscope on the ground and follow a cloud as it passes over the center of the mirror until it reaches the edge.
  3. Note the direction the cloud is moving toward. If it is blowing toward the east, the wind is coming from the west.
  4. Take the direction on several different clouds.
Questions:
  1. Is the wind on the ground moving in the same direction as the wind in the clouds? Why? Why not?
  2. Why are some clouds moving faster than others?
  3. Are all the layers of clouds moving in the same direction today?
  4. What happens when clouds are moving in opposite directions?

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