Advisory Panel on the Scientific Use of Balloons Meeting — 15 November 1965

This document contains the agenda and minutes for the meeting of the Advisory Panel on the Scientific Use of Balloons, held on 15 November 1965. The panel, which included prominent scientists such as Allen Hynek and Edward Ney, met to discuss the ongoing activities of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Scientific Balloon Facility. Key agenda items included the review of previous panel recommendations, the annual report of the facility, and the status of various ballooning projects. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to evaluating new requests for ballooning services. Specifically, the panel reviewed a proposal from Dr. Luis W. Alvarez of the University of California for a high-altitude particle physics experiment, which involved the use of superconducting magnets and spark chambers. The panel also discussed a request from Dr. L. Delbouille of the Institut d'Astrophysique in Belgium for balloon flight services to study the solar spectrum. The document includes detailed technical reports and proposals related to these experiments, such as the design of balloon-borne equipment, the use of Cerenkov triggers, and the logistical challenges of launching heavy payloads. Furthermore, the panel addressed the IQSY expedition in India and considered future possibilities for balloon-borne observations during the 1966 total solar eclipse in South America. The document also contains correspondence between NCAR staff and researchers, providing insight into the collaborative nature of these scientific endeavors and the administrative processes involved in managing large-scale, high-altitude research programs.