Thomas Forster
Thomas Forster (~1790 – 2 February 1860) was an English scientist with various interests including meteorology, astronomy, and ultimately, ballooning and ornithology (as well as anatomy and medicine).
In 1809, Forster used balloons to observe air currents — perhaps the first time this meteorological technique was used — and found wind traveling in four different directions at different altitudes.[1][2] (Spiral balloon movements observed in 1824–1825 testified to roughly circular wind patterns, as observed in hurricanes.)[3]
After publishing several scientific articles and his book Researches about Atmospheric Phenomena he enrolled at the University of Cambridge, where he planned to study law but then went into medicine. He pursued a variety of interests throughout his life.
Made an balloon ascent with Charles Green on 30 April 1831.[4]
Corresponding member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.[5]
Relevant publications include:
- 1813, 1815, 1823. Researches about Atmospheric Phenomena.
- 1832. Annals of some remarkable Aërial and Apline Voyages, including those of the author.
This person had 0 publications and 0 patents in this database.
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References
- ↑ D. N. Harrison, "The Use of Balloons in Meteorology", Journal of Navigation, Vol. 10, No. 1, January 1957.
- ↑ Forster, 1832, Annals, pp. 96–97. "The balloon now ascended rapidly in the same direction for several minutes, when, being very high, it met a different current of air, and was obsered to travel nearly towards the South [etc. ...] Thus there appear to have been four different currents of air above one another, namely, ESE., N., SW., and SSE. by S."
- ↑ Forster, 1832, Annals, p. 98.
- ↑ Forster, 1832, Annals, p. 74.
- ↑ "Thomas Forster, M.D." (obituary), Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. 208, May 1860; pp. 514–517.
| Names | Thomas Forster; Thomas Ignatius Maria Forster |
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