StratoSpera Balloon Flight

June 29, 2011

Stratospera1-burst-balloon 
Image created by Francesco Bonomi
Summary Author: Paolo Amoroso

This image shows an onboard look from the Italian StratoSpera 1 (STSp-1) balloon flight high above central Italy. It was taken from an altitude of approximately 53,360 ft (16,260 m). In the foreground is the burst balloon, which became entangled in the gondola and parachute lines during descent. This view over Tuscany, where the balloon reached its apex, faces the Tyrrhenian Sea. Elba island is visible at right beyond the coast. STSp-1 reached a maximum altitude of 17.1 mi (27.6 km) -- in the mid stratosphere. This balloon and others like it offer a rather inexpensive way to acquire high altitude photography and to sample ambient meteorological conditions. Photo taken just after noon (local time) on September 4, 2010.

Photo details: Camera Maker: Canon; Camera Model: Canon DIGITAL IXUS 80 IS with custom firmware; Focal Length: 6.2mm; Aperture: f/8.0; Exposure Time: 0.0007 s (1/1500); ISO equiv: 50; Exposure Bias: none; Metering Mode: Matrix;White Balance: Manual; Flash Fired: No (enforced); Orientation: Normal; Color Space: sRGB. This image has been rotated and the original color levels adjusted. Acquired at 10:15:35 UTC.